Question

Difficulty: MediumThe Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s

"The political philosophy of black nationalism means that the black man should control the politics and the politicians in his own community; no more. ... The economic philosophy of black nationalism is pure and simple. It only means that we should control the economy of our community. Why should white people be running all the stores in our community?"
— Malcolm X, "The Ballot or the Bullet," 1964

Which of the following developments within the civil rights movement of the 1960s is most directly reflected in the ideas expressed in the excerpt?

  1. A growing debate over the tactics and philosophies of the movement, challenging the dominance of integrationist goals.Answer
  2. B
    A unanimous consensus among civil rights groups to abandon nonviolence and integration.
  3. C
    An effort to integrate local urban economies into federal welfare programs established during the New Deal.
  4. D
    A strategy to gain federal support by linking civil rights goals to the containment of communism abroad.

Answer

A growing debate over the tactics and philosophies of the movement, challenging the dominance of integrationist goals.
The correct answer is correct because the excerpt from Malcolm X outlines the core tenets of Black nationalism, which arose as part of a significant debate within the 1960s civil rights movement. This philosophy challenged the dominant integrationist goals and nonviolent tactics of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., highlighting the internal philosophical divisions of the era.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus document for key themes and perspective.
The excerpt by Malcolm X promotes 'black nationalism,' specifically focusing on political self-determination and economic control within Black communities.
Understanding the core argument of the source is essential for linking it to historical developments.
2
Contextualize the document within the civil rights movement of the mid-1960s.
The mid-1960s saw a shift where younger and more radical activists questioned the pace and focus of nonviolent integration, leading to the rise of Black Power and Black nationalism.
Placing the source in its correct historical context helps identify the broader trend it represents.
3
Evaluate the options against the historical context and the source.
The option describing a growing debate over tactics and philosophies matches the rise of Black nationalism, while the other options falsely claim consensus, conflate the era with the New Deal, or misinterpret foreign policy alignment.
Comparing options ensures the selection of the most accurate historical interpretation.

Key Concept

Debates and divisions within the Civil Rights Movement over philosophy, goals, and tactics during the 1960s.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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