Civil rights movement
Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement (pronunciation: /ˈsɪvɪl raɪts ˈmuːvmənt/) was a decades-long struggle by African Americans and their like-minded allies to end institutionalized racial discrimination, disenfranchisement, and racial segregation in the United States.
Etymology
The term "Civil Rights Movement" is derived from the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was the landmark legislation prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
History
The Civil Rights Movement was a series of political, legal, and social struggles that sought to gain full citizenship rights for African Americans and to achieve racial equality. The movement began in the late 1940s and ended in the late 1960s. However, its impact continues to be felt today, particularly in the ongoing fight against systemic racism.
Key Figures
Some of the key figures in the Civil Rights Movement include Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, and Thurgood Marshall. These individuals played significant roles in leading the movement and advocating for the rights of African Americans.
Related Terms
- Segregation: The enforced separation of different racial groups in a country, community, or establishment.
- Discrimination: The unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.
- Desegregation: The ending of a policy of racial segregation.
- Civil Disobedience: The refusal to comply with certain laws or to pay taxes and fines, as a peaceful form of political protest.
See Also
- African-American Civil Rights Movement (1954–1968)
- Civil Rights Act of 1964
- Voting Rights Act of 1965
- Black Power Movement
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