A History of the Civil Rights Movement

Glossary abolitionist— a person favoring the end of slavery. amendment— a change made to a constitution or law. boycott— to refuse to associate with, buy the products of, or use the services of a company or organization as a means of protest. civil disobedience— to disobey a law because of a belief that the law is wrong, and with a willingness to accept punishment as a consequence in order to set an example to others. civil rights— the rights to political and social freedom and equality. desegregate— to end a policy of racial segregation. discrimination— unfair treatment of a person based on that person’s race, gen der, social class, or other characteristic. integrate— to include people from all races. Jim Crow— a term for southern laws created after the Reconstruction period, which restricted the rights of African Americans. lynch— to put someone to death outside of the law, through mob action. oppression— the unjust or cruel use of power. segregation— the practice of keeping one group or race separated from another. Reconstruction— the period from 1865 to 1877 when the southern states were re-admitted to the United States after the Civil War. During this peri od slavery ended and blacks gained the rights of citizenship. white supremacist— a white person who believes that white people are superior to people of other racial backgrounds.

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