BLACK WORKING-CLASS FORMATION AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS IN ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, 1936-1969

Using the border-state city of St. Louis, Missouri as an illustration, this project argues that the historical development of African American urban working-class communities propelled the major black social movements that occurred between 1936 and 1969, including the modern Civil Rights Struggle. The black popular agendas emerging from these movements represented the racial and class interests of African American working people, not only in demands for political participation, but also for social citizenship—greater employment opportunity, and better housing, education, and public services.