The civil rights movement was a struggle for social justice that took place mainly during the s and s for Black Americans to gain equal rights under the law in the United States. By the midth century, Black Americans, along with many other Americans, mobilized and began an unprecedented fight for equality that spanned two decades. During Reconstruction , Black people took on leadership roles like never before.
They held public office and sought legislative changes for equality and the right to vote. In , the 14th Amendment to the Constitution gave Black people equal protection under the law. In , the 15th Amendment granted Black American men the right to vote. To make matters worse, laws were passed in some states to limit voting rights for Black Americans. Moreover, southern segregation gained ground in when the U. Supreme Court declared in Plessy v.
Prior to World War II , most Black people worked as low-wage farmers, factory workers, domestics or servants. They were also discouraged from joining the military.
After thousands of Black people threatened to march on Washington to demand equal employment rights, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Executive Order on June 25, It opened national defense jobs and other government jobs to all Americans regardless of race, creed, color or national origin.
Black men and women served heroically in World War II, despite suffering segregation and discrimination during their deployment. The Tuskegee Airmen broke the racial barrier to become the first Black military aviators in the U. Yet many Black veterans were met with prejudice and scorn upon returning home. This was a stark contrast to why America had entered the war to begin withβto defend freedom and democracy in the world.
