Background Information
Civil Rights politics in the United States has its roots in the movement to end discrimination against, and disenfranchisement of, African Americans. Use the following sources to learn about the U.S. Civil Rights Movement that started in the 1950s and continues today with its mission to guarantee equality regardless of race.
- CQ Researcher This link opens in a new windowReference tool/magazine that gives overviews of major topic areas (including civil rights). Includes articles, lists of other resources, and Pro and Con arguments for most topics.
- Encyclopedia of Race and RacismExamines the historic origins of ideas of race and racism and explores their social and scientific consequences.
- Encyclopedia of African-American Culture and HistoryContains biographies, historical essays, and thematic pieces covering all aspects of the African-American experience from 1619 to the present day.
- Britannica AcademicContains a general overview of civil rights movements in different countries, specific civil rights legislation in the United States, and other topics related to civil rights.
- Greenwood Encyclopedia of African-American Civil Rights: From Emancipation to the Twenty-First CenturyComprehensive coverage of important people, movements, legislation, court cases, dates, and political action of the African American civil rights movement.
- Major Acts of CongressLists major acts passed through the United States Congress in response to court cases and issues such as civil rights and Brown v. Board of Education. Each entry explains the historical factors that led to the proposal of each act and assesses the impact of each act on American life.