Question 47

A primary goal of a civil rights movement is to promote equality under the law.

Promoting equality under the law is a fundamental objective of civil rights movements, as they seek to eliminate discrimination and ensure that all individuals have the same legal protections and opportunities.

A) to promote equality under the law

This option is correct because civil rights movements focus on ensuring that all individuals, regardless of their race, gender, or other characteristics, are treated equally under the law. The efforts of these movements are aimed at dismantling legal barriers and achieving equal rights for marginalized groups.

B) to expand the role of judicial review

This option is incorrect as expanding the role of judicial review is not a primary goal of civil rights movements. While judicial review can play a role in enforcing civil rights, the movements themselves are primarily concerned with achieving equality and justice, rather than altering the judicial system's structure.

C) to expand the power of state government

This option is also incorrect. Civil rights movements typically advocate for individual rights and protections against state power rather than seeking to expand it. The focus is more on limiting government overreach and ensuring that state actions do not infringe upon individual rights.

D) to promote a stronger central government

This option is incorrect as well. Civil rights movements do not aim to strengthen central government authority; rather, they often challenge government policies that perpetuate inequality and seek to ensure that rights are protected at all levels of government, including local and state.

Conclusion

The goal of promoting equality under the law is central to civil rights movements, making option A the definitive correct answer. Other options either misinterpret the focus of these movements or suggest objectives that do not align with the core principles of civil rights advocacy, such as individual freedoms and protections against discrimination.