Civil Rights Introduction

"March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom," August 1963
Photograph by Abbie Rowe
National Park Service Photograph

John Locke believed that since all men were equal, no one should be deprived of his natural rights. Civil rights movements and policies have been attempts to guarantee those rights to all. At the time this nation was established slavery was protected by the Constitution and the Supreme Court supported that view before the Civil War. It took an abolitionist movement, a civil war, a civil rights movement, laws and constitutional amendments to begin moving toward equality of rights in this country. In this section, we will look at the movement toward civil rights and what has been achieved. Your text will also discuss the views of those who believe that there is still work to be done.