Reading questions_Inside_Newark2+3

Reading questions for chapters 2 & 3
Curvin writes a lot about machine politics in Newark. Look up the terms
“political machine, the “spoils system,” “patronage’’ and ‘’ward’’ on
Wikipedia. Make sure you know what they mean.
Political machine – political organization in which an authoritative boss
or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and
businesses (usually campaign workers), who receive rewards for their
efforts.
Spoils system – a practice in which a political party, after winning an
election, gives government jobs to its supporters, friends and relatives
as a reward for working toward victory
Patronage – support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an
organization or individual bestows to another.
Ward – an administrative division of a city or borough that typically
elects and is represented by a councilor or councilors.
Look at the ward map handout.
 In which ward were African Americans concentrated in the
1960s? The third ward
 Find the 4th precinct
 Find Springfield Avenue
Chapter 2:
 What is the name of this chapter? Given this title, what sorts of
things do you think will be covered in this chapter?
Winds of change. Probably will be about how the city of Newark was
changed and reformed.
Pages 35-37:
 What was the Great Migration?
During the period between World War I and World War II black
and white southerners migrated in large numbers from rural
areas in the South to the urban north
 What was the impact of the Great Migration on Newark? Limited
housing available in Newark and competition rose greatly.
 What was the impact on the Third Ward? Everyone was crowded
into the third ward and everything was overpriced eventually
leading to riots.
Pages 38-39:
 How does Curvin characterize the Newark chapters of the NAACP
and the Urban League?
He felt that both organizations were good and for a good cause.
Pages 40-44
 How did Newark mobsters gain influence (and loyalty) in the
black community?

Some of them were involved in bootlegging and others were
paying politicians for power and influence.
Pages 44-48
 Who was the first black district leader in Newark? When was he
elected?
Harry Van Dyke in the mid 1930s.
 How did this reflect shifting demographics in the city?
There was a shift in loyalty of black voters to the Democratic
party and the demographic changes led to this.
 On page, 46, Curvin writes: “Yet in the larger picture, Newark
blacks had hardly dented the all-white power structures, and in a
few vital areas, they lost ground.’’ What time period is he talking
about? What evidence does he use to support this assertion?
1950-1960. Racial discrimination was still very pervasive in the
government and private business.
 What sorts of issues were of concern to the black community?
Racial discrimination, segregation, and not having equal rights as
others.
Pages 49-53
 What was the problem with the commission form of government?
There was little ethnic variance between the people in the
governing seats.
 How did the commission form of government impact blacks in
Newark?
The leaders were all black and everyone was voting for them.
 When did Newark adopt a mayor-council form of government?
1953
 What were the black community’s objections to the original
boundaries for the Central Ward?
It wouldn’t allow them to elect their own leader
 Who was Leo Curvin? How is does Curvin characterize him?
Mayor elected in may 1954, He was a straight and honest man.
Pages 53-59



Who is Irvine Turner? Newark born black newspaperman known
for his flamboyant personality and fiery rhetoric elected to first
Newark city council representing Central ward
What does Curvin think of Irvine Turner? Provide specific
evidence from the text to make your case.
Although uneducated, he was wise enough to make smart
choices and had the support of the Civil Rights Congress and the
Negro Labor Council.

Pages 59-64

On page 61, Curvin cites the Mayor’s Commission on Intergroup
Relations
 When was this document published? June 1959
 What does this report tell you about the state of the city at the
time
Blacks complained of overcrowded school and less experienced
teachers than white schools.
 Why is this snapshot of the city significant?
It really outlines the segregation present in the city and how
whites had better education than blacks.
At the bottom of page 61, Curvin also cites an NAACP survey of the
Newark school system.
 What were the findings of this survey?
Schools of high white composition had smaller class sizes than
schools in black areas and there were over a hundred more
double session classroom in black areas compared to whites.
 What is Curvin seeking to document by using this survey?
The amount of racial inequality present in Newark during the
time and the difference in the amount of opportunity present to
the two different races.
Why is this chapter called “Winds of Change’’?
What time period did this chapter cover? 1950s to 1960s
*****
Chapter 3
What is the name of this chapter? Given this title, what do you expect
will be covered in this section?
The Collapse of the Machine
How technology stopped being such a dominant factor in Newark.
What time period does this chapter cover? 1960s to 1970s
Pages 65-66
 How was John F. Kennedy different from Dwight Eisenhower?
Pages 67-70
 What does Curvin tell you about the state of the black
community in the early 60s? Where does his evidence come
from?
 What do you learn about the flight to the suburbs during this
period? Where does the evidence come from?
Pages 70-73
 Who was Hugh Addonizio?
 What point is Curvin making about Addonizo’s character? What
evidence does he use to support it?



Is Curvin’s assessment of Addonizio similar or different than the
Bongiorno’s?

Pages 73-78
 What is CORE? Who were its members?
 What does Curvin say is significant about the Newark
Coordinating Council and its protest of the Barringer High School
job site?
 When did it take place?
 What was the impact of the Barringer High School
demonstration?
Pages 78-80



What did CORE activists learn about hiring practices at the phone
company? How did CORE activists get their information? How did
CORE’s analysis contrast with the phone company’s claims?
What was the tipping point that made NJ Bell sit down at the
table and talk to CORE activists?

Page 81-83
 What was the Business and Industrial Coordinating Committee?
 What are Curvin’s conclusions about the impact of the BICC?
Pages 83-87
 How did George Richardson (he was interviewed in the film – you
find him 9:59 minutes into the film) show his moxie (independent
spirit)?
Pages 87-90
 What was the name of Tom Hayden’s organization?
 Where was it based?
 What is Curvin’s attitude toward Hayden’s organization? (Cite
evidence from the text to support your assertion)
 How did SDS’s goals contrast with those of CORE?
 What is Curvin’s assessment of SDS’s overall impact in Newark
(p. 90)? Cite the evidence from the text to support your
assertion.
Pages 90-96
 How does Curvin describe the political atmosphere in Newark
during this period?
 On page 94, Curvin contrasts the Newark branch of the NAACP
with the Newark chapter of CORE? How, in his opinion, were they
different?
 How does Curvin support his assertion that many in the NAACP
were beholden to Addonizio?



How does Curvin support his assertion that the Addonizio
administration deliberately tried to discredit CORE activists?

Pages 96-97


Both the film and the book discuss the federal government’s War
on Poverty. How does Curvin say it affected the Addonizio
machine’s control over jobs and favors?

Pages 98-99
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Both the film and the book discuss the Parker-Callaghan battle.
Why was (and BTW: it still is) the position of secretary to the
board of education such an important one?
What happened on June 28, 1967?
Was this before or after the riots?
When was Parker finally appointed board secretary?
Why does Curvin say his appointment was significant?