Final answer:
In the 1970s, successes of the black freedom movement in mainstream politics were evident through increased voter registration and the rise of African American elected officials, exemplified by figures such as Jesse Jackson and Andrew Young.
Step-by-step explanation:
The black freedom movement of the 1950s and 60s, known for its nonviolent protests and legislative victories, saw further developments into the 1970s within mainstream politics. With an increased number of African Americans registered to vote, a result of earlier successes like the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the political landscape began to shift. African American elected officials became more prevalent as the black electorate grew, exemplifying direct gains from the earlier civil rights struggles. Figures like Reverend Jesse Jackson, who ran for president, and Andrew Young, who served as a U.N. ambassador and as mayor of Atlanta, are notable examples of this trend towards political leadership.
Despite challenges in changing societal attitudes and behaviors toward racism, these political achievements represented a continuation of the struggle for equality. Additionally, local activists played a critical role in this success. Their day-to-day efforts in organizing, protest, and education propelled the larger movement and amplified its influence. The civil rights movement's progress thus mirrored a broader expansion of rights consciousness that impacted various minority groups throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s.