What is the name of the historical period when African Americans experienced increased civil rights activism starting in the 1950s?

• A. The Great Migration
• B. The Harlem Renaissance
• C. The Civil Rights Movement
• D. The Reconstruction Era

Answer: (C)

The correct answer, which identifies the historical period of increased civil rights activism starting in the 1950s, is the Civil Rights Movement. This movement was marked by a collective demand for the protection of African Americans' civil rights and an end to systemic racial discrimination. Key events and figures emerged during this period, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, and leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

This era saw significant legislative achievements, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to dismantle institutional racism and secure equal rights for African Americans across various aspects of social and political life. The Civil Rights Movement was also characterized by grassroots organizing, widespread protests, and nonviolent resistance, highlighting the power and persistence of African American activism.

The other options represent different historical contexts. For instance, the Great Migration refers to the mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West during the 20th century, seeking better economic opportunities and escaping racial violence. The Harlem Renaissance pertains to the cultural, social, and artistic explosion during the 1920s in Harlem, New York, when African American literature, music, and