The civil rights movement was a social movement in the United States from 1954 to 1968 with the goal of abolishing racial segregation, discrimination, and disenfranchisement against African Americans
. It sought to give African Americans the same rights as white citizens, confronting discrimination in public places, jobs, housing, and voting
. Key aspects of the civil rights movement:
- Origins The civil rights movement's origins can be traced to the Reconstruction era following the Civil War and had modern roots in the 1940s
- Methods Civil rights activists employed tactics such as nonviolent protests, civil disobedience, sit-ins, boycotts, protest marches, and lobbying to achieve their goals
- Key Legislation The movement led to federal legislation protecting the civil rights of all Americans
- March on Washington In August 1963, a large non-violent civil rights demonstration occurred in Washington, D.C., known as the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. It aimed to advocate for civil rights legislation and end discrimination
- Selma Marches In 1965, activists organized a march from Selma to Montgomery to highlight the need for voting rights. During the first march, law enforcement and racist individuals attacked the marchers, resulting in many injuries. The event became known as "Bloody Sunday"
