What movement aimed at achieving political and social equality for African Americans in the United States?

The civil rights movement was a pivotal movement in the United States that sought to end racial discrimination and promote political and social equality for African Americans. Emerging primarily in the 1950s and 1960s, this movement was characterized by organized efforts to challenge systemic racism, segregation, and disenfranchisement, through peaceful protests, legal challenges, and advocacy for new legislation.

Key figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks played significant roles in raising awareness and mobilizing people to demand equal rights. Landmark achievements during this period include the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which were crucial in dismantling institutional barriers to equality. The successes of the civil rights movement laid the foundation for subsequent social justice movements in the United States, highlighting its profound impact on American society.

In contrast, the other movements mentioned focus on different areas of social change: the labor movement addresses workers' rights and labor conditions, the women’s rights movement emphasizes gender equality, and the environmental movement aims to protect natural resources and promote sustainability. Each of these movements is important in its own right, but the civil rights movement specifically targeted the issues of race and equality for African Americans, making it the most relevant to