Thurgood Marshall: A Career in Law

Question

Lance Carson

After graduating from Howard University Law School in 1933, Thurgood Marshall worked at his own law practice for three years. Then he went to work for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), a civil rights group. Marshall worked on many important cases while at the NAACP, but by 1961 he was ready for a change and needed to earn more money to support his family. Marshall thought he might get a job at a private law firm, but President John F. Kennedy had a different idea: President Kennedy asked Marshall to become a federal judge for the United States Court of Appeals in New York.

Just the fact that the president appointed Marshall didn't mean he would get the job. According to the Constitution, federal judges must be approved by the Senate. At that time, racism was strong in many parts of the country. Some people did not want Marshall, a black lawyer who had been a leader in the civil rights movement, to become a judge. Some senators held up his appointment for almost a year. Finally, in 1962, the Senate gave its approval and Marshall became a federal judge.

Marshall was very good at his job, but, as Marshall said, "Once you get to become a judge, you want to get on the Supreme Court."

In 1965, Marshall got a request from another president. President Lyndon Johnson wanted him to become the solicitor general. The solicitor general is the lawyer who represents the United States government in all Supreme Court cases -- a very important job.

Marshall hoped the job might lead to an appointment to the Supreme Court. He was right. President Johnson appointed Marshall to the United States Supreme Court in 1967. He was the first African-American Supreme Court justice. President Johnson said it was "the right thing to do, the right time to do it, the right man and the right place." Although there was some dissent, the country had changed and Marshall was approved by the Senate. He served for 24 years.
Question
Which idea BEST connects to all parts of Marshall's career?
Responses
A His value of educationHis value of education
B His difficulty with being confirmedHis difficulty with being confirmed
C His desire to be on the Supreme CourtHis desire to be on the Supreme Court
D His work advancing the cause of Civil RightsHis work advancing the cause of Civil Rights
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Answer 1

D His work advancing the cause of Civil Rights

Throughout Thurgood Marshall's career, whether as a lawyer for the NAACP, a federal judge, or a Supreme Court justice, his main focus and passion was advancing the cause of civil rights. This is evident in the cases he worked on, the barriers he faced in his appointments, and his overall dedication to equality and justice for all individuals.