- The end of World War II and the return of African American veterans who had served in the US military. These veterans were no longer willing to accept the discrimination they had faced before the war.
- The Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), which ruled that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional. This decision inspired a wave of protests and demonstrations by African Americans and their supporters.
- The rise of the Black Power movement, which emphasized black pride and self-determination. This movement encouraged African Americans to challenge white supremacy and fight for their rights.
These factors, among others, led to the civil rights movement, which resulted in a series of landmark legislative and judicial victories that improved the lives of African Americans and all Americans.