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Pathways Through American History: Making a Democracy

Colorful mural
Notions of the American Dream Today, mural.

https://www.nps.gov/media/photo/view.htm?id=23BE4261-155D-451F-677D45EBFC665D34


A More Perfect Union


This Pathway, "Making A Democracy," highlights how people fought to access and expand civil and political rights, as well as how others have reacted to and resisted their efforts.

Find other Pathways.

Mural depicting people protesting
Exhibit, Civil Rights Memorial Center, Montgomery, Alabama

Courtesy Library of Congress


Marker 1 of 4: How did people exercise their First Amendment rights to make their voices heard?

The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the freedoms of speech, press, religion, assembly, and petition. Discover how some activists spoke out against inequality and advocated for rights expansions by exercising these rights.


When have you needed courage to use your voice? What do you need from history to draw attention to a cause you care about?


Speaking Out

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Below, you’ll find even more histories about how activists joined ranks and made their voices heard by exercising their First Amendment freedoms.

Mural depicting protest
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Mural (Dreams, Visions and Change) at Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park

Photo by Wally Gobetz, 2013


Marker 2 of 4: How is the fight for voting rights related to other civil rights struggles?

Battles for the ballot are often linked to other struggles for freedom, equality, and political recognition. Discover how the fight for voting rights relates to other aspects of the Black freedom struggle.


How can you make what matters to you about more than just yourself? What do you need from history to inspire others to join you?


Fighting for the Vote

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The Modern Civil Rights Movement is one of several civil rights struggles that occurred during the 1900s. The histories below illustrate how different groups approached the fight for civil rights with inspiration from the tactics, messages, and leaders of other movements.

White policewomen carrying black woman wearing dress and carrying purse
African American woman being carried to police patrol wagon during demonstration in Brooklyn, New York, 1963.

World Telegram & Sun photo by Dick DeMarsico, courtesy Library of Congress.


Marker 3 of 4: What kind of challenges did activists encounter when they fought for rights expansions? How can conflict lead to change?

Voting rights and civil rights activists encountered many different obstacles in the struggle for equality. Discover some of the internal disagreements, ideological challenges, and violent backlash that they experienced.


How does democracy make room for disagreement? What do you need from history to respect opinions and ideas that are different than yours?


Overcoming Obstacles

More to Explore

These resources chronicle even more ways that activists turned obstacles into opportunities to advance their respective causes.

Mural depicting workers building a statue of Abraham Lincoln
A 2007 parking lot mural ("With Malice Toward None, With Charity for All") by artist Jared Bader in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, that explores civil rights.

Photo by Carol Highsmith, courtesy Library of Congress.


Marker 4 of 4: How are civil and political rights contested?

One of the goals of the U.S. Constitution is to “form a more perfect union” that protects the rights and liberties of the American people. The resources below consider how the fight for equal rights is ongoing and incremental.


What do you need from history to ensure the United States lives up to its promise?


Keeping Up the Fight

Keep Up the Pace

American democracy functions best when everyone’s voices are heard.

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The content for this article was researched and written by Jade Ryerson, an intern with the Cultural Resources Office of Interpretation and Education.

Last updated: July 12, 2022