A History of the United States: Chapter 29: The Civil Rights Era

After suffering discrimination and unfair treatment for centuries, African Americans in the mid-1900s began to make real progress in winning an equal place in American life.

Change was slow, and the strong desire to end unfairness soon led to protest. This became the civil rights movement. The word civil means "having to do with citizens and their government."

In 1955 the Supreme Court followed up its decision in Brown v. Board of Education with another ruling. This ruling called on public schools to make plans for integrating their classrooms.

The arrest led African Americans in the city to boycott—refuse to use—city buses.

Gandhi had used protest methods based on civil disobedience, or the refusal to obey laws that were considered unjust.

Kennedy also boasted a fine military record. During World War II, he joined the United States Navy. He was assigned to active duty in the Pacific.

President Johnson outlined a set of programs known as the "Great Society." His War on Poverty consisted of programs that helped people living below the poverty line—the income level required to obtain life's necessities.

President Johnson outlined a set of programs known as the "Great Society." His War on Poverty consisted of programs that helped people living below the poverty line—the income level required to obtain life's necessities.

In 1965 Congress passed Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare established a health insurance program for elderly people. Medicaid provided health care to low-income families.

In 1965 Congress passed Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare established a health insurance program for elderly people. Medicaid provided health care to low-income families.

High school and college students staged sit-ins in nearly 80 cities. A sit-in is the act of protesting by sitting down to block traffic and normal activities.

Officials issued new rules that banned segregation on interstate buses—those that crossed state lines—and in bus stations.

In the summer of 1964, thousands of civil rights workers volunteered to work in the South. Their goal was to help African Americans register, or enroll, to vote.

Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska. He emerged as an important voice for African Americans at the height of the civil rights movement.

Three years later, feminists—activists for women's rights—created the National Organization for Women (NOW).

NOW fought for equal rights for women in all aspects of life—jobs, education, and marriage.

The Latino—or Hispanic—population sought equal rights in the 1960s as well. The term Latino refers to Americans with family backgrounds in Latin America or Spain.

Although they share many aspects of culture and a language, Latinos are a diverse group with different histories.