About
After the Civil war from 1861 to 1865, millions of previously enslaved African Americans finally aspired to join the greater society of the white ethnic group as equivalent and comprehensive citizens. However this was not a very accurate perception of their future life as free citizens. After the end of the civil war, some portions of the white race felt threatened that the black race were free; therefore making it their priority to stay away from African Americans and continue to conduct and differentiate them as second class individuals.
"Now we are free. What do we want? We want education; we want protection; we want plenty of work; we want good pay for it, but not any more or less than any one else...and then you will see the down-trodden race rise up." - John Adams, former slave
racial laws
The Jim Crow laws were a constitution of legislations which distinctly parted and separated the ethnic groups of black and white between 1876 and 1965 in the United States. These laws legally authorised racial segregation in all public facilities in Southern states proposing a "separate but equal" status for black Americans. The areas which were affected by racial segregation included public transport, toilets, schools and hospitals.
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who
The civil rights movement of African Americans was a framework of social movements in the United States involving black American racial groups with the common objective of eliminating discrimination and racial segregation amongst the white and black race.
What
Racial inequality involving the syndicate of black Americans were victim to an extensive range of issues. The black population of America were occupied in the worst jobs and received the poorest standard of education.The proposed Jim Crow laws gave misconceptions of the suggested "separate but equal" often providing facilities for black Americans in much poorer condition than the white Americans. A major issue experienced by the black Americans was the difficulty to register to vote for their leader because of a poll tax which had to be paid to gain rights to vote; however the majority of the black population were too poor to afford this tax. Furthermore, for a black person to vote, they had to pass literacy tests where the extracts were very difficult. If they had passed these tests, they were threatened so that they would choose not to vote.
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Motives
Movements for civil rights in the United States included attempts to abolish discriminating de jure legislation and invalidate imposed racial segregation laws against African Americans between 1954 to 1968. Organised efforts endeavored to abrogate discriminating laws of racial and social equity and economic rights between white and black races. Small movements against the jurisprudence for equality were considered as bodies which acted as precedents for further change and a revolution to the society of the United States.
protest
As racial segregation and discrimination continued in society, a major concern associating the black Americans was raised. These people believed that a significant change was required in society to safeguard everyday people who were victim to these issues. As a result of this common belief, a variety of people such as social workers, journalists and even politicians represented the black race and were known as reformers. The period of civil rights reform was distinguished into phases with each beginning with organised small-scale demonstrations and ultimately resulting in larger movements involving leaders and organisations.
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