To Kill A MockingbirdTo Kill A Mockingbird

Major Historical Happenings...

Jim Crow LawsJim Crow Laws

Scottsboro Scottsboro TrialsTrials

Recovering Recovering from the Great from the Great DepressionDepression

Racial InjusticeRacial Injustice

Poor SouthPoor South

Jim Crow Laws

After the After the American Civil War most states most states in in the South passed anti-African American the South passed anti-African American legislation. These became known as Jim legislation. These became known as Jim Crow laws. Crow laws.

These laws included segregation in…These laws included segregation in…SchoolsSchools -- Hospitals-- HospitalsTheatersTheaters -- Water fountains-- Water fountainsRestaurantsRestaurantsHotelsHotelsPublic transportationPublic transportationSome states forbid inter-racial Some states forbid inter-racial

marriagesmarriages

Jim Crow Law Jim Crow Law Continued.Continued.These laws These laws

were instituted were instituted in 1896 and in 1896 and

were not were not abolished till abolished till

the late 1950’s the late 1950’s (even then still (even then still

not not completely).completely).

Scottsboro Boys TrialScottsboro Boys Trial 9 young African-9 young African-

American men (ages American men (ages 13-20) accused of 13-20) accused of raping 2 white girls in raping 2 white girls in 19311931

Immediately sentenced Immediately sentenced to deathto death

Trials went on for Trials went on for nearly 15 years before nearly 15 years before all the men were all the men were dismisseddismissed

How it all went downHow it all went down

Started on a train bound for MemphisStarted on a train bound for Memphis

Several white men boarded and Several white men boarded and picked a fight with the black menpicked a fight with the black men

Whites were forced off train by the Whites were forced off train by the 12 black men. The white men 12 black men. The white men reported the the black men had reported the the black men had raped two white girls on the train to raped two white girls on the train to authoritiesauthorities

They were immediately arrested and They were immediately arrested and tried in front of an all-white jury.tried in front of an all-white jury.

The trials caused a huge uproar The trials caused a huge uproar amongst the black community.amongst the black community.

Harper LeeHarper Lee

Wrote Wrote To Kill a To Kill a Mockingbird Mockingbird in in 1960 1960

Based the story on Based the story on her life growing up her life growing up in Monroeville, in Monroeville, AlabamaAlabama

TKAMTKAM was the only was the only novel she ever novel she ever wrotewrote

The character of “Dill,” The character of “Dill,” Scout and Jem’s Scout and Jem’s playmate in the novel playmate in the novel was based upon Lee’s was based upon Lee’s actual neighbor, actual neighbor, Truman CapoteTruman Capote

Capote is famous for Capote is famous for amongst other things, amongst other things, In Cold Blood In Cold Blood and and Breakfast at Tiffany’sBreakfast at Tiffany’s..

It has been said that he It has been said that he gave Lee gave Lee MockingbirdMockingbird as a gift.as a gift.

In 1962 the In 1962 the novel was turned novel was turned into a film into a film starring Gregory starring Gregory Peck.Peck.

It received a It received a humanitarian humanitarian award and award and several Academy several Academy Award Award nominationsnominations