Overview

Civics and Government

Political Participation

Civic Engagement

26. Action

26.1 Grassroots Movements

Grassroots Movements: How Ordinary Citizens Create Extraordinary Change

Discover how everyday people have used coalition building, direct action, and community organizing to reshape American society and drive lasting political and social reform.

What You'll Learn

Grassroots movements build power from communities upward through collective action.

Key strategies include direct action, boycotts, and coalition building tactics.

Historical movements like civil rights shaped American democracy through organizing.

Consciousness raising and solidarity unite diverse groups for lasting social change.

What You'll Practice

Students identify key vocabulary terms defining grassroots movement strategies and concepts.

Learners analyze historical case studies to identify effective grassroots organizing tactics.

Practice questions assess understanding of coalition building and nonviolent resistance strategies.

Why This Matters

Understanding grassroots movements empowers students to recognize how ordinary citizens have driven America's most significant social and political changesand how they can do the same.

This Unit Includes

Practice exercises

Learning resources

Skills

Direct Action

Coalition Building

Civil Disobedience

Community Organizing

Collective Action

GA Curriculum Aligned