Lester Maddoc

Breontra·

Civil Rights

Preview

At a Glance

SubjectCivil Rights

This lesson explores the resistance to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, with a specific focus on Lester Maddox's actions in Georgia. It outlines the historical context of the Civil Rights Movement, detailing the objectives of the Act which included outlawing discrimination based on various factors and prohibiting segregation. The lesson examines Maddox's biography, his ownership of the Pickrick Restaurant, and his radical refusal to integrate, which led to the closure of his business instead of compliance. Included are primary sources of Maddox's statements, structured note-taking to analyze his arguments, case studies of specific incidents such as the Pickrick standoff with Black students, and a discussion of the broader societal tensions surrounding the Act. The lesson concludes by reflecting on Maddox's political rise as a symbol of resistance to the federal integration mandate.