What was the main purpose of the “Selma to Montgomery” marches?

The main purpose of the “Selma to Montgomery” marches was to promote voter registration, particularly for African Americans in the South who faced numerous barriers to voting. These marches, which took place in March 1965, were pivotal in raising awareness about the systemic discrimination and disenfranchisement that minority voters experienced. The marches were organized in response to the violent suppression of civil rights activists, and they aimed to highlight the need for voting rights legislation.

The significance of these events cannot be overstated, as they directly contributed to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to eliminate obstacles to voting for African Americans. The march from Selma to Montgomery symbolized the struggle for equal voting rights and mobilized widespread support for the civil rights movement.

The other options, while significant in their own right, do not capture the primary objective of the Selma to Montgomery marches. The protest of the Vietnam War and support for economic reforms were important issues during the civil rights era, but they were not the central focus of these specific marches. Additionally, the celebration of civil rights achievements came as a result of the progress made, rather than being the primary goal of the marches themselves.