Learn the history of the civil rights movement in Facts about Civil Rights for kids! The civil rights movement is a worldwide series of political movements that peaked in the 1960s. The goals of this movement were equal protection, equality of opportunity, and the enforcement of civil rights for everyone. Throughout history, slaves were brought to the United States from Africa. In 1619, Congress banned the importation of slaves from Africa. The Supreme Court's ruling made the practice of segregation illegal in schools. The enslaved were denied the right to vote, become citizens, and even vote. As the country became increasingly progressive, a number of racial laws were passed that changed the conditions of slavery. These amendments ended segregation in schools and eventually resulted in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It is now against the law to discriminate based on race. In the United States, the abolition of slavery led to a revolution. In many places, black people outnumbered whites. After the civil rights act, blacks were allowed to vote and serve on juries. The abolition of slavery resulted in a major change in the politics of the South. In some areas, whites continued to oppress blacks, but the Civil Rights Act changed this.