What characterized the history of civil rights movements in the 1900s?

The history of civil rights movements in the 1900s is prominently characterized by efforts to gain rights for people of different races and national origins. This period saw significant activism aimed at challenging and dismantling systemic racism and discrimination, primarily against African Americans but also including other marginalized groups. Landmark events, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, were direct results of these efforts. Organizations like the NAACP and various grassroots movements played pivotal roles in advocating for equal rights, social justice, and the end of segregation, creating a legacy that fundamentally shaped American society and legislation regarding civil rights.

While other options touch on important social issues, they do not encapsulate the primary focus of civil rights movements during this century. Efforts for economic equality, environmental issues, and income redistribution may have overlapping goals but were not the central themes of the civil rights movements as defined in this historical context. The pressing struggle for racial equality underscores the significance of this particular characterization of the civil rights movements in the 1900s.