Date of Award
12-2019
Type
Thesis
Major
History
Degree Type
Bachelor of Arts
Department
History and Geography
First Advisor
Gary Sprayberry
Second Advisor
Sarah Bowman
Third Advisor
Ryan Lynch
Abstract
This paper examines how the FBI investigated civil rights organizations and social movements from the 1950s through the 1970s. It compares the reasons for the investigations, the investigative methods, and the extent of the investigations. The paper uses FBI files as the basis for the information and to form the argument that the FBI chose its targets based on who posed a significant threat to the status quo. The FBI had a social and political motive to suppress dissent against the government and to suppress the people who challenged laws to advance their rights. The movements examined are the civil rights movement and the anti-war movement. Some attention is devoted to the efforts of the counterintelligence program to deter these organizations from accomplishing their goals.
Recommended Citation
Donovan, Meredith, "FBI Investigations into the Civil Rights Movement and the New Left" (2019). Theses and Dissertations. 330.
https://csuepress.columbusstate.edu/theses_dissertations/330
