Final answer:
The Civil Rights Movement made significant strides towards racial equality and social justice, driven largely by grassroots activism and federal action. However, lasting change in attitudes and behaviors proved more difficult. The movement's legacy continues to influence American society and inspire activism.
Step-by-step explanation:
To what extent was the Civil Rights Movement a success in achieving its goals of racial equality and social justice in the United States? The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s made significant progress toward achieving its goals. Grassroots activists played a crucial role in this achievement, using campaigns and demonstrations to spur federal action. Federal efforts were also influenced by the Cold War and a genuine concern for the disenfranchised.
While many discriminatory laws were repealed, indicating a certain level of success, the subsequent challenges such as housing and job discrimination, educational inequality, racism, and poverty proved to be more intractable as they involved changing attitudes and behaviors. Public support for the movement declined in the 70s, partly due to the rise of identity politics and fears among some whites that their status was being threatened.
The achievements of the era were remarkable nonetheless, with lasting effects on minority groups organizing for equal rights. The African American Civil Rights Movement inspired other minority movements and today, the legacy of civil rights activism continues to influence American society, despite ongoing struggles against prejudice and discrimination.