Throughout this course, you have learned about the Civil Rights Movement and its relevant contextual background. You have also learned about the different actions and tactics of civil rights activists who sought to advance civil rights for African Americans during the 1950s and 1960s. Finally, you have learned about the roles of state and federal governments during the Civil Rights Movement and reactions to the movement by white citizens and southerners.
This assignment requires you to demonstrate your knowledge of the organizations that participated in and influenced the Civil Rights Movement during the 1950s and 1960s. You will need to use your analytical skills to compare the goals, activities, and impacts of at least two groups. You will also need to rely on your research and evaluation skills to locate clear, supporting evidence for your argument. Finally, you will need to use your critical thinking skills to assess what long-term impacts or legacies were of the groups you choose.
Prompt
Write a 2,000-2,500-word essay in response to the following prompt:
Select two civil rights organizations that were active during the 1950s and 1960s and craft an essay in which you compare how successful each group was in achieving its goals during the Civil Rights Movement. As you write, be sure to analyze both groups’ backgrounds and tactics and assess whether those factors influenced their ability to attain their goals. Finally, provide specific, detailed examples to support your claims and offer a conclusion that contextualizes the topic in relation to broader themes or issues in American history.