The NAACP's Fight Against Lynching: Obstacles and Setbacks

The NAACP's Fight Against Lynching

Introduction

During the 1930s, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) fought tirelessly to pass anti-lynching bills in the United States. However, their efforts were met with fierce resistance from Southern Democrats, who used a variety of tactics to ensure the defeat of these bills.

The New Deal and Civil Rights

The New Deal, a series of economic and social reforms enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, brought about significant political, social, and economic changes in the United States. However, African Americans were still not treated equally. New Deal agencies failed to provide work and welfare support for African Americans, and the main culprits were Southern Democrats and Roosevelt himself.

The NAACP's Anti-Lynching Campaign

In the 1930s, the NAACP attempted to pass anti-lynching bills in the Senate. However, Southern Democrats used a variety of tactics to ensure the defeat of these bills.

• Filibusters: Southern Democrats used filibusters, or extended speeches, to delay and ultimately block the passage of anti-lynching bills.
• Presidential Silence: President Roosevelt remained silent on the issue of lynching throughout his presidency, which emboldened Southern Democrats in their opposition to anti-lynching legislation.
• Supreme Court Ruling: In 1937, the Supreme Court ruled that lynching was not a federal crime, which further weakened the NAACP's efforts to pass anti-lynching laws.

Conclusion

Despite the NAACP's tireless efforts, anti-lynching bills were repeatedly defeated in the US Congress. The lack of presidential support and the fierce opposition from Southern Democrats made it impossible for the NAACP to achieve its goal of ending lynching in the United States.