The Impact:

The impact of the Civil Rights Movement is insurmountable. Prior to the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil War, there were around 4 million U.S slaves. As in people who were treated as property to be bought and sold, and forced to work. Refusal to perform tasks often resulted in beatings, lack of food, and sometimes even death. The Civil War was really the beginning of a long fight for African-American freedom. Although the government stated that all slaves were to be freed, that wasn't enough. African-Americans didn't just want to get away from their owners. They wanted a life in which they were able to be apart of society. They wanted equal rights and opportunities. This is what led to the Civil Rights Movement itself. As a great many people fought for African-American rights, society began to change. It was more diverse in it's thoughts, ideas, culture and actions. The Civil Rights Movement also gave our country alot of perspective. It was the first step in eliminating racism in the United States. Also, it undermined incorrect ideas about people who were different. Having an open-minded country with a diverse population is one of the aspects of America that is great, and it couldn't have happened without this era.