These widespread political movements were supported by thousands of Americans fighting for equal rights, directly benefited minority citizens who were integral to the framework of the U.S., and occurred at other major historical turning points which polarized the country and forced discussion.
-For example, tensions between the North and South in the 1800’s were already intense due to the debate over states rights, and it was abolition that served as the main cause for the Civil War.
-Women had been long fighting for the right to vote since the beginning of the abolition movement and took the opportunity at the end of WWI to demand suffrage as the country was politically weakened and in need of direction.
-The civil rights movement occurred during the Vietnam War, utilizing the national anger over the inhumane treatment of the Vietnamese and the “unfairness” of forced military service to gain support for equal rights in America.
