Albert Gore Letters to Citizens

Senator Albert Gore's letters to a citizen.

Senator Albert Gore of Tennessee writes to his constituents stating that he could not support the upcoming civil rights legislation because it was unreasonable. Senator Gore did support the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960 becuase both acts did not do much in the way of granting rights to African Americans. However, becuase the Civil Rights Act of 1964 desegrated public facilites such as restaurants, drinking fountains, and restrooms, and integrated public schools, southern democrats like Albert Gore could not support the bill. These letters represent the view of southern democrats regarding civil rights and the cause of tension between the two parties that the bill created.