The main driving force behind the American Civil Rights Movement was the demand for racial equality and an end to discrimination against African Americans. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks inspired collective action against oppressive laws, using methods such as peaceful protests, legal challenges, and public advocacy. Key events, such as the Montgomery Bus Boycott and the March on Washington, highlighted the struggle for civil rights. The movement sought to dismantle segregation and secure equal voting rights, resulting in landmark legislation like the Civil Rights Act of 1964.