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Civil Rights Era

By Jessica McElrath, About.com Guide to African-American History

Here you'll find information about the leaders, participants, and events that were a part of the civil rights movement.

  1. Martin Luther King Jr.
  2. Malcolm X
  3. Rosa Parks
  4. Jim Crow Laws
  5. Leaders & Activists
  1. Protest Movements/Events
  2. Organizations
  3. Photo Galleries
  4. Timelines

Martin Luther King Jr.

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Martin Luther King Jr. was a central leader in the civil rights movement.

Malcolm X

Courtesy of Library of Congress

While Martin Luther King Jr. was preaching nonviolent resistance during the civil rights movement, Malcolm X was an advocate of Black Nationalism and the "true brotherhood" of man.

Rosa Parks

Courtesy of Library of Congress

Rosa Parks' decision not move to the back of a Montgomery bus sparked the civil rights movement.

Jim Crow Laws

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

Jim Crow laws were racial segregation laws in the South that were imposed on African Americans.

Leaders & Activists

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

The success of the civil rights movment was a result of the people who participated.

Protest Movements/Events

Courtesy of the Library of Congress

The success of the civil rights movement was in part a result of the protest movements that helped instigate change.

Organizations

Courtesy of Library of Congress

Out of the civil rights movement, emerged various organizations that served to promote and assist in civil rights goals.

Photo Galleries

Library of Congress, U.S. News & World Report Magazine Photograph Collection.

Photos of important events during the civil rights movement.

Timelines

Timelines of important people and events during the civil rights movement.

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