Final answer:
Anti-communism and the Civil Rights Movement intersected during the Cold War as the federal government sought to end segregation for a better global image, while also fostering a climate of suspicion against civil rights activists through McCarthyism. This led to civil rights leaders being targeted as potentially disloyal. However, grassroots activism drove major legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Step-by-step explanation:
The intersection between anti-communism and the growing Civil Rights Movement can be understood through two main ways in which the global Cold War influenced domestic policies and social movements in the United States. Firstly, the desire to project a positive image on the world stage propelled the federal government to take steps towards ending segregation, as racial discrimination damaged America's reputation, particularly amongst newly emerging nations that were potential allies during this time. Conversely, the Cold War also fostered a climate of suspicion towards dissident groups, which often included civil rights activists suspected of communist sympathies, thus subjecting them to scrutiny and allegations of disloyalty.
In the backdrop of McCarthyism and various witch hunts, civil rights leaders found themselves battling on dual fronts — not just against institutionalized racism, but also against accusations that their quest for racial equality was somehow un-American or influenced by communist ideals. This complex dynamic meant that while the federal government was incrementally pushing for civil rights under the international gaze, grassroots activism was absolutely crucial in driving the movement forward leading to significant victories, such as the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Ultimately, the fight for civil rights and anti-communism were deeply intertwined during this era. While fear of communism was used to suppress activists, the broader movement's commitment to justice and equality outlasted the Red Scare, significantly changing American socio-political landscape.