What were the primary goals of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s?

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s primarily aimed to achieve racial equality and combat segregation. This movement emerged in response to the systemic discrimination and segregation that African Americans faced in various aspects of life, including education, employment, and public facilities. Activists sought to dismantle Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation, advocating for equal rights under the law.

Key events during this period, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery marches, focused on demanding equal treatment and voting rights for African Americans. Significant legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, was enacted as a direct result of these efforts, highlighting the movement’s effectiveness in pushing for significant social and legal changes aimed at ensuring equality.

While economic growth, labor rights, and consumer protections are important issues, they were not the central focus of the Civil Rights Movement at this time. The movement brought attention specifically to racial injustices, making the objective of achieving racial equality and combating segregation the clear primary goal.