The American Freedom
The American Freedom
The Civil Rights Movement was an era devoted to activism for equal rights and treatment of African Americans in the United States. During this period, people rallied for social, legal, political and cultural changes to prohibit discrimination and end segregation. Civil rights are defined as "the nonpolitical rights of a citizen; especially those guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution and by acts of Congress" (Wikipedia). The 13th amendment of the Constitution abolished slavery in the U.S., and the 14th amendment insured African Americans of their legal citizenship and equal protection under the law. According to the book, “Give me Liberty” the freedom movement is defined in part as "a series of organized activities working toward an objective; also: an organized effort to promote or attain an end". (Give Me Liberty)
But this movement came into its existence not overnight or just from one suppressed section of American society. It was a common idea to fight for it. After World War II America came out as a superpower and the world was ready to follow our policies. The African American was migrating out of the south into the newer cities around the country. (Dr. Brendan Lindsay) American propaganda against other races was creating racial tensions at home it was about time that America delivered on its word. But during 1950’s, a very less portion of the population was ready to desegregate the country. Slowly and eventually, African Americans start looking at “Separate but equal” as an unjust deal. Many of them had fought in World War II and at that time were given equal rights as other White American soldiers. This showed that the abolishment of slavery did not change the perceptions that allowed discrimination to continue.
Historic roots can be dug to find out crucial events in American history that have had significant effect on development and rise of the Civil Rights movement.
The Civil Rights Movement was an era devoted to activism for equal rights and treatment of African Americans in the United States. During this period, people rallied for social, legal, political and cultural changes to prohibit discrimination and end segregation. Civil rights are defined as "the nonpolitical rights of a citizen; especially those guaranteed to U.S. citizens by the 13th and 14th amendments to the Constitution and by acts of Congress" (Wikipedia). The 13th amendment of the Constitution abolished slavery in the U.S., and the 14th amendment insured African Americans of their legal citizenship and equal protection under the law. According to the book, “Give me Liberty” the freedom movement is defined in part as "a series of organized activities working toward an objective; also: an organized effort to promote or attain an end". (Give Me Liberty)
But this movement came into its existence not overnight or just from one suppressed section of American society. It was a common idea to fight for it. After World War II America came out as a superpower and the world was ready to follow our policies. The African American was migrating out of the south into the newer cities around the country. (Dr. Brendan Lindsay) American propaganda against other races was creating racial tensions at home it was about time that America delivered on its word. But during 1950’s, a very less portion of the population was ready to desegregate the country. Slowly and eventually, African Americans start looking at “Separate but equal” as an unjust deal. Many of them had fought in World War II and at that time were given equal rights as other White American soldiers. This showed that the abolishment of slavery did not change the perceptions that allowed discrimination to continue.
Historic roots can be dug to find out crucial events in American history that have had significant effect on development and rise of the Civil Rights movement.
Cited: Dr. Brendan Lindsay. HISTORY 146 Lecture Notes. Date Accessed: June 01, 2008. Give Me Liberty: An American History. Eric Foner. 2005. The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division Web site, at http://www.usdoj.gov/crt/crt-home.html . Date Accessed: June 02, 2008. Wikipedia, at http://wikipedia.org. Date Accessed: June 01, 2008 Voices of Freedom: A Documentary History. Ed. Eric Foner. 2005. Vol. 2.