Final answer:
The small skirmishes of the civil rights movement primarily occurred in the Southern States, where racial discrimination and violence against African Americans were prevalent. Grassroots activists were instrumental in bringing about change.
Step-by-step explanation:
The small skirmishes of the civil rights movement occurred primarily in the Southern States (C), as racial discrimination and violence against African Americans were most pervasive in this region. Historians have uncovered numerous civil rights cases involving schools, restaurants, hotels, theaters, and other establishments throughout the Southern States in the early 1900s. Grassroots activists, inspired by the African American civil rights movement, played a pivotal role in challenging racial injustice and pushing for change.