What you’ll learn to do: examine major milestones of the African American civil rights movement

Figure 1. The March on Washington, 1963.

Long-awaited changes finally came to fruition during the 1960s, and important legislation passed that prohibited discrimination against Black voters. Presidential and congressional support of the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts was a direct response to the grassroots efforts of civil rights groups. Activists’ persistent sit-ins, freedom rides, protest marches, and voter registration drives ultimately produced greater equality and opportunity for Black Americans.

Despite the movement’s achievements, many grew frustrated with the slow pace of legal and legislative change. As a result, some Black activists embraced the ideology of Black Power. Though their tactics were often controversial, the Black Power movements of the decade also forged new paths toward Black pride and empowerment.