The Chicano Movement

The Chicano Movement

"El Movimiento"

1. Summary

index

2. Causes/Motivations

3. Federal Government

4. Lasting Effects

5. Major Events

6. Major Figures

The Chicano Movement can be summarized by a period of protests and economical reforms led by Americans of Mexican descent. Inspired by prior acts of resistance such as ones by the Pachuchos in El Paso, the Chicano Movement highlighted the avoidance of assimiliation, leading a Mexican-American empowerment as well as a call for field worker rights, land grants and improved education. Some notable leaders of this movement are Cesar Chavez, Rosalio Muñoz, Hector P. Garcia, etc.

Causes + Motivations

- proper education - racial stereotyping - field worker rights - women's rights - restoration of land - a "forced" assimiliation

The Brown Berets were a pro-Chicaco group founded by David John Sanchez in 1966. Starting from a youth group, the Brown Berets accumulated power, support, and members through the years. Women in groups such as the Brown Berets utilized it to also promote women's rights during the time.

Under Kennedy, the federal government was generally supportive of the Chicano Movement. Mexican-Americans were appointed in office positions, and senator Robert F. Kennedy met with the field laborers during their grape grower strike to show his support. The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund was formed in 1968. The Chicanos also gained more political power, improved education, and worker unions were acknowledged and identified as such.

Lasting effects

Right to unionize and work for higher wages and working conditions

A distinct Mexican idenity and empowerment left an imprint on the masses

Integrated into voting, office positions, and gained a more prominent role in politics

educational funds for improvements in schooling

Political Influence

Educational Funds

Cultural Empowerment

Labor Unions

Major Events

1965 Delano Grape Boycott

Philipino and Mexican farm laborers boycotted the California grapes due to low wages and poor working conditions. This marked the Chicano involvement in the farm workers movement and eventually led to a successful union and improvement.

Major Events

1968 Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund

After a grant was given to the organization, which was founded in San Antonio, lawyers gained scholarships in order to help with legal cases. Setting up programs and campaigns, the funds are put forth for educational purposes and other legal defenses for Mexican-Americans.

Cesar Chavez

An American labor leader and activist, Cesar Chavez founded the National Farm Workers Association to improve the working conditions and wages for field laborers. Influenced by Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr, Chavez called for boycotts and strikes within the Chicano Movement. He and his group successfully protested against California grape growers.

Rodolfo Gonzales

Rodolfo Gonzales was a Mexican-American boxer, poet, political organizer and activist. Boxing a path out of poverty, Gonzales was the first Mexican American district captain for the Denver Democratic party. Along with public rallies, he utilized poetry as a form of expression. One of his most prominent pieces was Yo Soy Joaquin. Gonzales was predominantly occupied in Colorado's politics, but he also worked and marched beside Cesar Chavez and Martin Luther King Jr. at many protests.

Works Cited

Carrillo, Karen Juanita. “How the Chicano Movement Championed Mexican-American Identity.” HISTORY, 18 Sept. 2020, www.history.com/news/chicano-movement. History.com Editors. “Cesar Chavez.” HISTORY, 21 Aug. 2018, www.history.com/topics/mexico/cesar-chavez. Nadra Kareem Nittle. “History of the Chicano Movement.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, 22 July 2009, www.thoughtco.com/chicano-movement-brown-and-proud-2834583.\ (“Timeline: Movimiento from 1960-1985 - Seattle Civil Rights and Labor History Project”) (Resources | MALDEF) ‌ ‌