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Difficulty: MediumThe Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s

Source: Martin Luther King Jr., Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?, 1967

"Black Power is a cry of disappointment. It is born of the wounds of despair. It is a call for the pooling of black financial resources to achieve economic security... but the slogan is an unwise choice... [Nonviolence] does not seek to defeat or humiliate the opponent, but to win his friendship and understanding."

The debate referenced in the excerpt best reflects which of the following developments within the civil rights movement of the late 1960s?

  1. A
    A solidifying consensus among civil rights organizations to adopt militant self-defense after 1965
  2. B
    The complete unification of civil rights groups under a centralized strategy to combat political disenfranchisement
  3. The growing division over tactical and philosophical approaches between traditional leaders and younger, more radical activistsAnswer
  4. D
    The universal abandonment of nonviolent protest in favor of economic separation and black nationalism

Answer

The growing division over tactical and philosophical approaches between traditional leaders and younger, more radical activists
The correct option is correct because the passage directly demonstrates Martin Luther King Jr.'s critique of the 'Black Power' slogan, illustrating the growing philosophical and tactical divisions between the traditional nonviolent integrationist leaders (such as King and the SCLC) and the younger, more militant activists (such as those in SNCC and the Black Panther Party) who embraced Black Power in the late 1960s.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the source text to identify the author and core argument.
The author, Martin Luther King Jr., is commenting on the phrase 'Black Power' as a slogan of disappointment and arguing that 'nonviolence' remains the most effective strategy.
Understanding the author's stance on the tactical shift is necessary to place the source in its historical context.
2
Place the excerpt in the context of the late 1960s civil rights movement.
By 1967, the civil rights movement was experiencing significant internal debate between proponents of nonviolent integration (like King) and proponents of Black Power and militant self-defense (like SNCC under Stokely Carmichael or the Black Panthers).
Connecting the document to broader historical trends helps identify the dynamic it reflects.
3
Evaluate the options to find the development that aligns with the ideological debate shown in the text.
The correct option correctly identifies the tension and division over strategy between traditional civil rights leadership and younger, more militant activists.
Eliminating incorrect options that suggest consensus or complete abandonment of nonviolence leads to the correct choice.

Key Concept

Strategic and philosophical debates within the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s

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