Civil Rights

During the United States civil rights movement, everyday Americans challenged their government and communities to live up to their promises of equality and justice. Studying this important era in American history highlights the power of civic participation in a democratic society, the role of non-violence in social movements, the significance of voting rights, the tensions between state and local control, the capacity of the courts to address injustice, and the ways in which different groups define national and community membership.

Facing History and Ourselves has many resource books, study guides, videos, lesson plans and web links to help students explore the U.S. civil rights movement, especially as it relates to issues of identity, belonging, justice, memory, democracy and civic engagement.