The anti-communists campaign was quite popular, but another conflict divided the society in a very violent and deep way: the Civil Rights Fight. In fact, despite the abolition of slavery in the XIXth century, a strong racial discrimination was predominant in the whole country, especially in Southern States, where the Afro-American population was particularly present. Nevertheless, beyond a de facto segregation - a classical societal phenomenon that has always occured and will always occur in every country which welcomes foreigners - a de jure segregation was clearly separating Black and White people until the 60s: facilities, services and opportunities, such as medical care and employment, could vary a lot; according to ethnic belonging. For instance, segregation was the rule for federal Civil Service. Hence, Black people, willing to be legally equal to the WASPs, started to struggle for civil rights. They responded to the violent white behaviour with violent acts and a civil battle prevailed for many years. The first action happened in February 1960, when black students decided to sit-in in many universities (North Carolina and then in other States), so as to protest against the separation between Black colleges and White ones. However, a few universities in the Mississippi started to integrate black students between 1956 and 1965. Saying that it caused protests and riots is an understatement, but this was one of the most symbolic advancement. Another very symbolic event was the March on Washington for jobs and Freedom on August 28th, 1963: over 200’000 people (mostly black people but also other ethnic groups!) gathered at the Lincoln Memorial, where they could hear the famous “I have a dream”-speech by Martin L. King. Next year, he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Besides, 1964 is a landmark for the anti-racism battle, since it was the year when the Civil Rights Act outlawed racial segregation in schools, public places, and employment. But legislation has no real influence on people’s opinion, and racism was still very active in the 60s and 70s. For instance, Martin L. King was assassinated in 1968. As a general rule, White racists, represented by the famous Ku Klux Klan, which killed many black people, were opposed to Black people, who had become racists against the White, symbolized by the Black Panthers. In fact, we could oppose the Greensboro massacre in 1979 – 5 marchers were killed by KKK members – to the 1968 Olympics Black Power salute in Mexico by Tommie Smith and John Carlos in Mexico City. But beyond these symbols, the social situation of the African-American People has evolved a lot during the 60s and 70s, especially at a legal level, thanks to politicians, although racism has not been eradicated in the US society (and will never be). Another conflict where politicians played a great role was the Vietnam War. In fact, this war was waged in 1959 by the Kennedy and Jonhson Administration, developed, and ended in 1975 under Nixon.
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