Cold War Shaped Civil Rights

This exploration delves into the concept of genocide, as defined by the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which involves acts committed with the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group. Notably, three petitions from African Americans have been submitted to the United Nations, with one distinctly addressing this Convention. In 1951, a pivotal moment unfolded with the presentation of the third petition, which boldly accused the United States government of committing genocide against the African American race.

This dissertation scrutinizes the historical context in which the third petition was drafted and presented. A noteworthy aspect of this petition is its radical accusation, which emerged during an era dominated by anti-Communist hysteria in the United States. The pervasive fear of subversion in the face of any form of criticism colored the reception and interpretation of the petition. Historians engage in ongoing debates about the true goals behind this particular petition, seeking to unravel the motivations and intentions embedded within the historical circumstances of its creation.