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● Why
Did the Social Movements Begin?
● Who
Worked in the Social Movements?
● What
Is a Social Movement?
● The
Civil Rights Movement
● Organizations
● Direct Action Tactics
● Changes
● The Youth Movement
/Anti-War Movement
● The Women's Movement
● Conclusion
What Is a Social Movement?
 There
are many definitions of "social movement". One professor
argues that "a social movement is a type of behavior in which
a large number of participants consciously attempt to change existing
institutions and establish a new order of life." In other words,
people work together to change government policies and society.
Another professor says all social movements have two basic characteristics:
"structure and spontaneity." There must be one or more
organizations (structure) and people's actions should come from
themselves (spontaneity). Other necessary parts of a social
movement are:
1. a social base of people who can communicate with each other
about the same problem such as black church members in the civil
rights movement.
2. a "message" or ideology that names a problem
and shows how to solve it. Nonviolent civil disobedience used in
sit-ins, women's rallies demanding equal pay for equal work are
such messages.
3. the ability to spread the message and get more supporters.
Mass rallies and marches are held to attract media coverage
for supporting a movement. Therefore, social movements need ideas
for social change, collective action to make the change, and organization
to direct the action and attract supporters.
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