What was the objective of the Freedom Summer in 1964?

The objective of Freedom Summer in 1964 was primarily to end political disenfranchisement, particularly in the southern United States. During this time, civil rights activists aimed to increase voter registration among African Americans in Mississippi, a state notorious for its systemic efforts to suppress black voter participation through discriminatory practices and violence.

Freedom Summer involved mobilizing a large number of volunteers, including many from northern states, to assist in registering voters and organizing the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP). The MFDP sought to challenge the all-white delegation that represented Mississippi at the Democratic National Convention, highlighting the disenfranchisement faced by African Americans. This initiative was not just a campaign for registration but a broader movement to confront and dismantle the institutional barriers that had kept African Americans from participating in the democratic process.

While the promotion of black culture, empowerment of militancy, and encouraging nonviolent protests were all components of the civil rights movement during this era, the specific aim of Freedom Summer was to tackle the immediate issue of disenfranchisement.