Civil Rights or Freedom? When Vietnam & the Civil Rights Movement Clashed
Focusing on Details: Spotlight
All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.Introduction
The 1960s were a time when people were advocating for equality and peace. It was a tumultuous era where some citizens looked to the government for equality while others criticized the government for the nation's role in international affairs.Read the highlighted portion of this letter from former baseball player Jackie Robinson to President Lyndon B. Johnson from April 18, 1967. Think about the context of that date (the events happening in the United States and the world in 1967 that you know of from your studies and that Robinson is referring to). Then respond to the questions below.
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Worksheet
Civil Rights or Freedom? When Vietnam & the Civil Rights Movement Clashed
Focusing on Details: Spotlight
Examine the documents included in this activity and write your response in the space provided.
This letter was written by Jackie Robinson to President Lyndon B. Johnson on April 18, 1967. Examine the highlighted area to better understand the following:
- What was Robinson concerned about?
- The Civil Rights Act was passed in 1964, almost 2 years before this letter was written. What continuing issues did Robinson bring up to the President?
- What does Robinson allude to as a result or consequence for the United States if President Johnson does not continue to hold firm on civil rights?
Your Response
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Activity Element
Letter to President Lyndon B. Johnson from Jackie Robinson
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Conclusion
Civil Rights or Freedom? When Vietnam & the Civil Rights Movement Clashed
Focusing on Details: Spotlight
How do you think President Johnson felt when he received Jackie Robinson's letter? What thoughts were going through his head regarding civil rights and the conflict in Vietnam? How does he lead the nation and provide for all its citizens?Draft a response from LBJ to Robinson. This response should be in the form of a letter.
Your Response
Document
Letter to President Lyndon B. Johnson from Jackie Robinson
4/18/1967
This primary source comes from the Collection LBJ-WHCF: White House Central Files (Johnson Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 7329806
Full Citation: Letter to President Lyndon B. Johnson from Jackie Robinson; 4/18/1967; Collection LBJ-WHCF: White House Central Files (Johnson Administration), . [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/letter-to-president-lyndon-b-johnson-from-jackie-robinson, April 29, 2025]Letter to President Lyndon B. Johnson from Jackie Robinson
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Letter to President Lyndon B. Johnson from Jackie Robinson
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