Civil Rights Movement
Definition
The Civil Rights Movement was a struggle for social justice that took place mainly during the 1950s and 1960s for Black Americans to gain equal rights under the law in the United States.
Analogy
Think of the Civil Rights Movement like a marathon. It's not just one race, but many races over time, with different runners (activists) participating. Some parts of the course are uphill (challenges), some are downhill (victories), but all contribute to reaching the finish line (equal rights).
Related terms
Segregation: This is a policy of separating people based on their race or other factors, which was heavily practiced in America before and during the early stages of the Civil Rights Movement.
Nonviolent Protest: A method used by activists during this movement where they would protest unjust laws or practices without using violence. This includes sit-ins, boycotts, and marches.
Civil Rights Act of 1964: A landmark piece of legislation in the United States that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools and workplaces.
"Civil Rights Movement" appears in:
Study guides (4)
Additional resources (1)
Practice Questions (20+)
- What were two key governmental responses to the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s?
- What effect did the Civil Rights Movement have on voting rights policy within the U.S.?
- The Civil Rights Movement impacted which specific interpretation related to federalism?
- How did the Civil Rights Movement affect the balance of power in American federalism?
- What impact did the Civil Rights Movement have on Congressional legislation concerning racial equality?
- How did the Civil Rights Movement affect Supreme Court rulings in subsequent years?
- How did the Civil Rights Movement influence discretionary authority within U.S law enforcement agencies?
- What impact did Brown v. Board of Education have on the Civil Rights Movement?
- How did the Civil Rights Movement affect government policy?
- Which First Amendment right was most directly utilized in the Civil Rights Movement's nonviolent protests and marches?
- How did the civil rights movement influence the understanding and application of the First Amendment?
- How did cultural shifts in the wake of the Civil Rights Movement impact gun control policies?
- Which amendment was primarily used during the Civil Rights Movement to desegregate public schools?
- How did the historical context of racial segregation impact the application of the 14th Amendment during the Civil Rights Movement?
- Which legislative act was passed as a result of the civil rights movement?
- Which technique did the civil rights movement primarily use to draw public attention and spark government response?
- What action did President Lyndon Johnson take in response to the Civil Rights Movement?
- What was a direct legislative outcome of the Civil Rights Movement?
- What differentiates the government's response to the Civil Rights Movement from its reaction to the Anti-War Movement in the 1960s?
- How did the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s influence federal legislation concerning voting rights?
Resources
© 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.