An evaluation of the reasons for the development of the Civil Rights campaign, after 1945

Economic Factors

End of Second World War saw a shift in the economic position of African Americans. Many moved to northern states for better job opportunities during the Great Migration, leading to larger African American populations demanding civil rights.
The prosperity seen in the post-War era, known as the Post-War Economic Boom, raised expectations among African Americans. They felt they deserved a share of the wealth and better living conditions.

Political Factors

The Cold War played an important role as the USA, claiming to be the leader of the ‘free world’, faced international scrutiny for its racial inequality, leading to pressure for change.
The foundation of the United Nations in 1945 and its Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948 put further international pressure on the USA to increase its civil rights protections.

Social Factors

The Double V campaign during World War II, which called for both victory in the war and equality at home, highlighted the hypocrisy of fighting for freedom abroad while denying basic rights at home.
Increased exposure of African American soldiers to different social norms during the war was a major factor. On return, many refused to accept segregation and second-class citizenship, becoming the frontline in the battle for civil rights.

Legal Context

Supreme Court rulings such as Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 set legal precedent for the desegregation of schools, while other lawsuits aimed at segregating public facilities.
The constitutionality of segregation was increasingly being questioned, including segregation on buses which Rosa Parks famously protested against in 1955.

Actions of Prominent Figures and Groups

Leadership from figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and organisations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) provided effective and visible advocacy for the cause.

Media Influence

The proliferation of television and other media outlets helped bring attention to civil rights issues, including brutal enforcement of segregation, making it a key issue for the public, and impossible for politicians to ignore.

Remember each of these points is interconnected and had varying degrees of impact on the development of the Civil Rights campaign. Assess their individual significance while also understanding their cumulative effect.