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civil rights movement

Definition

The Civil Rights Movement was a series of social and political campaigns in the United States aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans, and securing legal recognition and federal protection of the citizenship rights enumerated in the Constitution and federal law. It spanned from the 1950s to the 1960s, featuring nonviolent protests, legal challenges, and community actions.

Analogy

Think of the Civil Rights Movement like updating a widely used but outdated software program. Just as software updates aim to fix bugs and improve user experience for all users, the Civil Rights Movement sought to correct injustices in society's "operating system," ensuring equal rights and opportunities for everyone, regardless of race.

Related terms

Segregation: The enforced separation of different racial groups in a country, community, or establishment.

Jim Crow Laws: State and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States.

Voting Rights Act of 1965: A landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibited racial discrimination in voting

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.