Final answer:
The NAACP, established in 1909, is a leading civil rights organization in the U.S. focused on ensuring equality and eliminating racial prejudice. It was founded in response to discriminatory practices against African Americans, and it champions democratic processes to protect civil rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Founded on February 12, 1909, the NAACP is the nation's foremost, largest, and most widely recognized civil rights organization. Initially established in response to a race riot in Springfield, Illinois, the organization rapidly became a leading advocate for the civil rights of African Americans. The NAACP was instrumental in sponsoring legal challenges against segregation and worked tirelessly to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of minority group citizens in the United States.
One of the NAACP's critical focuses has been to eliminate race prejudice and remove all barriers of racial discrimination through democratic processes. It was founded by prominent African American figures, including W.E.B. Du Bois, in opposition to policies like Booker T. Washington's Atlanta Compromise, which they felt did not do enough to protect African Americans from discriminatory laws and practices. Throughout its history, the NAACP has pursued a mission to enforce the promises of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the United States Constitution.
The NAACP's early efforts were also a continuation of the ambitions of the Niagara Movement, which was led by Du Bois in 1905. They have focused on combating egregious practices like lynching and segregationist policies deemed violations of Constitutional amendments. The organization has evolved to include over half a million members who are dedicated to advocacy for civil rights in their communities and conduct voter mobilization campaigns for equal opportunity.