The root cause of the American Civil Rights Movement stemmed from systemic racism and pervasive racial segregation in American society, particularly in the South. African Americans faced widespread discrimination and violence, particularly manifest in Jim Crow laws that enforced segregation. The movement sought to address injustices such as disenfranchisement, unequal education, and lack of access to public facilities. Activists employed various strategies, including nonviolent protests, legal challenges, and grassroots organizing, culminating in landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to achieve equality and protect civil rights for African Americans.