The pivotal conflict that brought about civil rights for African Americans in the U.S. during the 1960s was the Civil Rights Movement. This movement sought to end racial segregation and discrimination, advocating for equal rights through activism, legal challenges, and direct action. Key figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and organizations such as the NAACP played crucial roles in non-violent protests and landmark events like the March on Washington. The movement achieved significant legislative victories, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, fundamentally changing American society and advancing the struggle for equality.