The Scottsboro Boys
This is a topic suggestion on The Scottsboro Boys from Paper Masters. Use this topic or order a custom research paper, written exactly how you need it to be.
In March of 1931, a petty conflict between young white and black men hitching a ride on a freight train set a tragic chain of events in motion. The so-called Scottsboro Boys case ruined the lives of the black men charged, ended the career of a judge, and polarized the sense of justice of a nation.
The trials of the nine black men, ranging in age from 13 to 21, began twelve days after their arrest. They were tried two or three at a time, by all-white juries; all the Scottsboro Boys were quickly found guilty and sentenced to execution, with the exception of Roy Wright, who, as the youngest defendant, was reluctantly sentenced to a mere life in prison.
The three main reasons for such a speedy and uncontested verdict in each trial were the incompetent representation of the boys, the witnesses against them, and most importantly, the social climate of the time.
In an odd courtroom conversation, the judge asked Stephen Roddy to "appear for these defendantsif local counsel are willing to appear and assist you under the circumstances all right, but I [Judge Sutherland] will not appoint them". Roddy was a real estate attorney from Tennessee, who began the trial "so stewed he could hardly walk straight". His local assistance came from Milo Moody, a "doddering, extremely unreliable, senile individual [who was] losing whatever ability he once had". The pair agreed to let the boys be tried in groups, met with them for just a few minutes before the trial began, did not help them prepare their testimony, did not attempt to expose the lies of the witnesses, and gave no closing argument. The incompetence of these attorneys was the basis for the U.S. Supreme Courts decision to order a retrial; [the defendants] "were denied due process of law and the equal protection of the laws, in contravention of the Fourteenth Amendment".
The second factor that virtually predetermined the guilty verdicts was the testimony of the witnesses. Beyond a doubt, the most colorful and popular witness was Victoria Price, the more confident of the two white women who claimed to have been raped. A known prostitute, she had every reason to divert attention from her own violation of the Mann Act. Suddenly "the same people [who had before treated her like] a piece of poor white trashtreated them as white southern women, poor but virtuous, for the first time in their lives".
Related Research Paper Topic Suggestions
African American Family - African American Family Research Papers discuss a sample of a paper order on how to order an observation paper, with specific questions to answer on the topic.
African American History - African American History research papers look into the experience of African Americans since the founding of the British colonies to the Civil Rights movement and beyond.
African American Women - African American Women Research Papers examine the impact that women had on the advancement of all African Americans, particularly the
Afroamerican Studies - Afro-American Studies Research Papers on an interdisciplinary field of research and writing that focuses on politics, cultures, and histories of African American people.
Black Americans - Uniqueness of the Back American Research Papers delve into examining and defining African American culture including history, development, and distinguishing characteristics.
Black Churches - Research papers on Black Churches examine the churches that serve the African American community.
Black Church History - Research papers on Black Church history discuss how the African American church came to be after the institution of slavery.
Black English - Black English Research Papers look at this language which rooted from when the African Americans were forced over to America to become slaves.
Black History - A research paper on Black History discusses this important component of culture that aims to preserve the traditional narratives of black culture.
Black Studies - Black Studies essays examine the interdisciplinary academic subject that combines elements of the history, culture and politics of African Americans.
Choose A Major Historical Event - Choose a Major Historical Event research papers choose any one group or major historical event to illustrate how people, places and/or events have been interrelated and impacted. History research papers are available at Paper Masters.
Integration of Schools - Integration of Schools Research Papers look at the 1950's society, and the African American's fight for desegregation of schools.
Jim Crow Laws - Jim Crow Laws research papers discuss the law that imposed severe restrictions on African Americans, including limits on their individual rights and strict segregation laws.
Long Hot Summers of The 1960S - Long Hot Summers of the 1960's Research Papers discuss the civil rights riots that occurred through the years 1964-1969.
Malcolm X - Malcolm X Research Papers examine the life of this man, and his distrust and rage toward white Americans. He became known as " the angriest black man in America."
Million Man March - Million Man March research papers overview the gathering of African American men at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to present a different view of African Americans.
NAACP - NAACP research papers examine one of the oldest civil rights organizations in the United States.
Plessy V. Ferguson - A research paper on Plessy v. Ferguson examine the U.S. Supreme Court decision in support of racial segregation laws that brought about the
Rosa Parks - Rosa Parks research papers discuss this key figure in the civil rights movement.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X - How to write research on the Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley is overviewed by Paper Masters.
Title Vii - A research paper on Title VII examines one of the 11 Titles of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that outlaws discrimination.
Warriors Dont Cry - Warriors Don't Cry Research Papers delve into an autobiography on the integration of African American students into white schools.
W.E.B. Du Bois - W.E.B. Du Bois research papers look at this African American scholar and compares him to others of the past such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Custom Written History Research Papers can be found at Paper Masters.