What organization was founded to advance civil rights for African Americans?

The NAACP, or the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was founded in 1909 specifically to combat racial discrimination and to advocate for the civil rights of African Americans. Its establishment was driven by the need to address systemic injustices and to raise awareness about the violence and inequalities faced by Black individuals in America, particularly in the aftermath of the tragic events surrounding race riots and lynchings.

The organization's primary goals have included challenging segregation and discrimination through legal means, conducting public awareness campaigns, and promoting educational opportunities for African Americans. Notable legal victories, such as the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, showcased the NAACP's crucial role in the legal fight for civil rights, aiming to secure equal treatment under the law.

While the Civil Rights Movement encompasses a broader spectrum of activism and organizations during the 1950s and 1960s, it is not a single organization itself. The SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) and CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) are also significant civil rights organizations, but they were established later and often worked in coordination with the NAACP, rather than being its founding body.