The African American Struggle for Civil Rights in the 1950s-1960s

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Introduction

During the post-war era of prosperity and Cold War fears, African Americans continued to fight for their civil rights. Although the end of the Civil War led to the abolition of slavery and the adoption of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the US Constitution, guaranteeing equal protection under the law and the right to vote for African Americans, in reality, they continued to face racism and discrimination.

Civil Rights Struggles in the 1950s

In 1954, the US Supreme Court issued a historic decision in the “Brown v. Board of Education” case, which overturned the “separate but equal” system that segregated schools for whites and blacks. However, in practice, racial segregation persisted in many states, leading to a series of protests and civil disobedience. In 1955, African American activist Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus to a white passenger. This led to the organization of a mass bus boycott that lasted more than a year and resulted in the repeal of laws that segregated passengers based on race.

Advancements in Civil Rights During the 1960s

In 1960, students from the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) began organizing sit-ins at restaurant counters to draw attention to African Americans’ lack of civil rights. This led to a series of protests and civil disobedience actions that spread throughout the country. These actions led to enacting laws guaranteeing civil rights for African Americans, including the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. However, in practice, discrimination and racism continue to exist in some areas today.

Conclusion

Overall, post-war prosperity and Cold War fears in the US led to many societal changes. The fight for civil rights became essential to this process and resulted in significant legislation and public opinion changes. However, it was a long, challenging road, and many problems still exist.

Bibliography

Montgomery, David. The Beginner’s American History. Columbia: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2020.

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StudyCorgi. (2026) 'The African American Struggle for Civil Rights in the 1950s-1960s'. 16 February.

1. StudyCorgi. "The African American Struggle for Civil Rights in the 1950s-1960s." February 16, 2026. https://studycorgi.com/the-african-american-struggle-for-civil-rights-in-the-1950s-1960s/.

Bibliography

StudyCorgi. "The African American Struggle for Civil Rights in the 1950s-1960s." February 16, 2026. https://studycorgi.com/the-african-american-struggle-for-civil-rights-in-the-1950s-1960s/.

References

StudyCorgi. 2026. "The African American Struggle for Civil Rights in the 1950s-1960s." February 16, 2026. https://studycorgi.com/the-african-american-struggle-for-civil-rights-in-the-1950s-1960s/.

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