African-American Civil Rights Movement
The Civil Rights Movement that began in the late 1950s won for African-Americans basic rights long denied to them, inspired other discriminated groups to fight for their own rights, and had a deep effect on American society. (PBS) The movement continued throughout the 1960s with important events taking place such as the March on Washington (1964), the signing of the Voting Rights Act (1965); and the March from Selma to Montgomery (1965). (updated 1/05/23).
Heroes of the Movement
Many people from all cultures and walks of life participated in the Civil Rights Movement. Below you will find some of the major players in these historical events. Click on the picture to find out more that person. (An "*" indicates that you can view a short video about that person.) If you want a list of more Civil Rights Leaders, go to List of African-American Activists on Wikipedia.
Selma is a 2014 American historical epic drama film directed by Ava DuVernay and written by Paul Webb. It is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by James Bevel, Hosea Williams, and Martin Luther King, Jr. of SCLC and John Lewis of SNCC. This website includes information about the cast and the production staff as well as information about the march across the Pettus Bridge.
Books
Songs
These songs were sung during the Civil Rights Movements in the 1960s. The links will are of videos with photographs depicting those times.
Lift Every Voice and Sing (with lyrics)
Websites
Click on the buttons to gain access to the websites.
Students analyze famous James Karales photo.
Activities allow children to put themselves in the place of the participants from that day. |
Student use news articles from that time period to answer questions. Students distinguish between primary and secondary sources.
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The photos and text come from the archives located on the Library of Congress website.
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This website shows the properties related to the modern civil rights movement, the events of the post-World War II period, and especially the 1950s and 1960s. The focus of the itinerary is the African American freedom struggle.
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Printables
Click on links below to gain access to printables for your students.
Videos
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This video tells the story of the Children's March, the bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church, and the influence these events had on the faltering Civil Rights Movement in 1963.
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In this BrainPop video, Tim an Moby discuss the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s. (5:40)
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