History of Chicago Public Schools: 1960s Segregation, Politics, and Protests

This poster presents the history of Chicago Public Schools during the 1960s. The research focuses on school segregation and forced integration as a result of the Civil Rights movement. Political figures Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley and Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools Benjamin Willis enforced policies preventing schools integration. Their involvement in CPS schools and their resistance to school integration is shown through the enforcement of “Willis Wagons.” The “Willis Wagons” led to protests and riots of students. These protests include the ’63 Boycott and the 1968 Harrison High School Walkout. This presentation will analyze and discuss the effects of Mayor Daley and Supt. Willis’ policies and the impact of school riots. The demographics of communities were changing as well, leading to movements such as the White Flight. The history of Chicago Public Schools involves a lot of political and social conflict, and the research of the upheavals aid in understanding of Chicago Public Schools today. This poster presents the history of CPS through detailed analysis of protests, political figures, and demographic changes.