A) to promote equality under the law CORRECT This is the correct answer because civil rights movements are fundamentally about ensuring that all individuals are treated equally under the law. They seek to eliminate discrimination and secure legal protections for marginalized groups. The goal is to achieve a society where every person has the same rights and opportunities, regardless of race, gender, religion, or other characteristics. This principle is rooted in the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and has been advanced through landmark legislation and court rulings.
B) to expand the role of judicial review INCORRECT This option is incorrect because judicial review is the power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional, which is a separate concept from civil rights. While civil rights cases often involve judicial review, the primary goal of a civil rights movement is not to expand the power of the judiciary but to achieve social and legal equality. Judicial review is a tool used by courts to protect rights, but it is not the objective of the movement itself.
C) to promote a stronger central government INCORRECT This option is incorrect because civil rights movements are not primarily about the structure of government or centralizing power. They focus on individual rights and equality. While some civil rights advocates may support federal intervention to enforce rights, the overarching goal is to ensure equal treatment under the law, not to strengthen the central government. The movement's aims are social and legal, not about the distribution of governmental power.