An established introductory textbook that provides students with a compelling overview of the growth of the mass movement from its origins after the Second World War to the destruction of segregated society, before charting the movement's path through the twentieth century up to the present day. This is an ideal core text for modules on Civil Rights history or American history since 1945 - or a supplementary text for broader modules on American history, African-American history or Modern US politics - which may be offered at the upper levels of an undergraduate history, politics or American studies degree. In addition it is a crucial resource for students who may be studying the Civil Rights Movement for the first time as part of a taught postgraduate degree in American history, US politics or American studies. New to this Edition: - Revised and updated throughout in light of the latest research - Includes in-depth analysis of Barack Obama's presidency - Provides further exploration of cultural and gender history - Examines contemporary issues, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the 2016 US election