History of the Civil Rights Movement Beginning with the end of the U.S. Civil War in 1865, African Americans toiled to reach equal status in the eyes of the law. Not only that, they also struggled against abuse – both physical and mental – by racist members of society. Starting with the right to vote, and then laboring to integrate schools and other aspects of everyday life, the Civil Rights Movement made huge strides over a century of work. While the crusade may never truly be over, many considered the election of the country’s first African American President to be a turning point in the battle. In this video, http://www.WatchMojo.com/ explores the history of the United States’ Civil Rights Movement.