The early civil rights movements in the United States refer to a series of social and political campaigns aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans. These movements emerged primarily in the mid-20th century and laid the foundation for the broader civil rights movement that followed.

Here are some key early civil rights movements:

1. NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People): Founded in 1909, the NAACP played a crucial role in fighting for civil rights through legal means. They focused on ending segregation, challenging discriminatory laws, and promoting equality in education, employment, and voting rights.

2. Marcus Garvey and the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA): In the early 20th century, Marcus Garvey advocated for black self-reliance and empowerment through the UNIA. Garvey's movement emphasized economic independence and encouraged African Americans to take pride in their heritage.

3. Harlem Renaissance: During the 1920s and 1930s, the Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement centered in Harlem, New York City. It celebrated African American literature, art, music, and intellectual pursuits. This movement helped to challenge negative stereotypes and highlight the achievements of black artists and intellectuals.

4. Montgomery Bus Boycott: In 1955, the arrest of Rosa Parks for refusing to give up her seat to a white person on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, sparked a year-long boycott of the city's bus system. Led by Martin Luther King Jr. and the Montgomery Improvement Association, the boycott demonstrated the power of nonviolent protest and led to a Supreme Court ruling declaring bus segregation unconstitutional.

5. Brown v. Board of Education: In 1954, the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. This decision overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine established by the earlier Plessy v. Ferguson case and provided a legal basis for desegregating schools across the country.

6. Civil Rights Act of 1964: This landmark legislation was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson and outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It ended segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination, providing significant legal protections for African Americans and other marginalized groups.

These early civil rights movements laid the groundwork for the broader struggle for racial equality and justice that continued throughout the 1960s and beyond. The activists and leaders of these movements played a pivotal role in challenging discriminatory practices, inspiring future generations of civil rights activists, and ultimately contributing to significant social and legal changes in the United States.