Civil rights movements

Quick Facts: Who was Civil rights movements?

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Civil rights movements

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Worldwide political movements demanding equality before the law, peaking in the 1960s.

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Origins & Early Life

Civil rights movements are a worldwide series of political movements for equality before the law, that peaked in the 1960s. In many situations they have been characterized by nonviolent protests, or have taken the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change through nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations, they have been accompanied, or followed, by civil unrest and armed rebellion. The process has been long and tenuous in many countries, and many of these movements did not, or have yet to, fully achieve their goals, although the efforts of these movements have led to improvements in the legal rights of some previously oppressed groups of people, in some places. The main aim of the successful 1954-1968 American civil rights movement, and other social movements for civil rights, included ensuring that the rights of all people were and are equally protected by the law.

Career & Major Achievements

These include but are not limited to the rights of minorities, women's rights, disability rights and LGBT rights. Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom which has witnessed violence over many decades, known as the Troubles, arising from tensions between the British (Unionist, Protestant) majority and the Irish (Nationalist, Catholic) minority following the Partition of Ireland in 1920. The civil rights struggle in Northern Ireland can be traced to activists in Dungannon, led by Austin Currie, who were fighting for equal access to public housing for the members of the Catholic community. This domestic issue would not have led to a fight for civil rights were it not for the fact that being a registered householder was a qualification for local government franchise in Northern Ireland. In January 1964, the Campaign for Social Justice (CSJ) was launched in Belfast.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

This organisation joined the struggle for better housing and committed itself to ending discrimination in employment. The CSJ promised the Catholic community that their cries would be heard. They challenged the government and promised that they would take their case to the Commission for Human Rights in Strasbourg and to the United Nations. Having started with basic domestic issues, the civil rights struggle in Northern Ireland escalated to a full-scale movement that found its embodiment in the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association. NICRA campaigned in the late sixties and early seventies, consciously modelling itself on the American civil rights movement and using similar methods of civil resistance.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1920: 1920 Milestone — Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom which has witnessed violence over many decades, known as the Troubles, arising from tensions between the British (Unionist, Protestant) majority and the Irish (Nationalist, Catholic) minority following the Partition of Ireland in 1920.
2. 1954: 1954 Milestone — The main aim of the successful 1954-1968 American civil rights movement, and other social movements for civil rights, included ensuring that the rights of all people were and are equally protected by the law.
3. 1964: 1964 Milestone — In January 1964, the Campaign for Social Justice (CSJ) was launched in Belfast.

Notable Quotes by Civil rights movements

“we were able to see an example of the fact that you didn't just have to take it, you could fight back”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Civil rights movements

True or False: “The initial catalyst for the civil rights struggle in Northern Ireland was solely related to political representation.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The struggle initially began with basic domestic issues concerning equal access to public housing for the Catholic community.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aarathi — Historical peer (Born in 1954) (1954): Veteran Indian actress celebrated for her roles in Kannada cinema during the 1970s and 1980s.
• Abdel Fattah el-Sisi — Historical peer (Born in 1954) (1954): Egyptian military leader who became the sixth President of Egypt in 2014.
• Abrar-ul-Haq — Historical peer (Born in 1968) (1968): Esteemed Pakistani singer, philanthropist, and former politician from Punjab.
• Adam McKay — Historical peer (Born in 1968) (1968): Acclaimed American filmmaker known for satirical comedies and high-profile adaptations.
• Abraham Kuyper — Historical peer (Died in 1920) (1920): Influential neo-Calvinist pastor, journalist, and Prime Minister of the Netherlands.
• Ahmad bin Ali Al Thani — Historical peer (Born in 1920) (1920): Emir of Qatar (1960–1972) whose reign oversaw the nation's oil boom and independence.
• Abedi Pele — Historical peer (Born in 1964) (1964): Legendary Ghanaian footballer, celebrated for his attacking prowess and leadership.
• Adam Yauch — Historical peer (Born in 1964) (1964): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.

Frequently Asked Questions about Civil rights movements