American civil rights
Definition
The term refers to the basic rights and freedoms that all individuals should have, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, or other characteristics. These rights include voting rights, equal access to education and employment opportunities, and protection against discrimination.
Related terms
Jim Crow laws: These were state and local laws enacted after the Civil War that enforced racial segregation and denied African Americans their civil rights.
Brown v. Board of Education: This landmark Supreme Court case in 1954 declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional and played a crucial role in advancing civil rights for African Americans.
Voting Rights Act of 1965: This legislation aimed to overcome barriers such as literacy tests and poll taxes that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote.
"American civil rights" appears in:
Practice Questions (1)
How would the advancement of American civil rights have been impacted if President Johnson had vetoed, rather than signed, the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
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About Fiveable
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CCPA Privacy Policy
Resources
Cram Mode
AP Score Calculators
Study Guides
Practice Quizzes
Glossary
Cram Events
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Crisis Text Line
Help Center
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.