Thanks largely to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case of 1954, which declared that separate educational facilities were inherently unequal and therefore unconstitutional, the civil rights movement began to gain momentum. This movement, which was led by such activists as Martin Luther King Jr., espoused nonviolent protest as a means to ending racial segregation and promoting equal rights for African Americans. This book spotlights the rise of the civil rights movement, offering students a close look at one of the most remarkable and influential movements in U.S. history. Commanding photographs and a wealth of special features enhance the exciting text, making this book an ideal reference to the civil rights movement.