Black Power Flashcards
What was the Black Power movement?
Influenced by Malcolm X, the Black Power movement consisted of radical groups such as the Black Panther Party, which disagreed with non-violent direct action. They used the Black Power slogan and symbol to show their support.
Who first used the phrase ‘black power’ which led to the Black Power movement being created?
The phrase ‘black power’ was first used by Stokely Carmichael in 1966.
What were the aims of the Black Power movement?
❖To reject integration with white Americans and achieve separatism, whereby they would have their own black areas or states.
❖To reject the non-violent tactics and beliefs of the civil rights movement.
❖To solve the social and economic challenges facing African Americans. Instead of addressing these effectively, the main civil rights movement was focused on political issues such as the right to vote.
❖To increase pride in black culture and history, and promote the belief ‘black is beautiful’.
Why did the Black Power movement become popular?
❖The Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts had not ended racism, discrimination or segregation. Change was seen as happening too slowly, increasing frustration in the black community and especially among the younger generation.
❖Attention was turning away from civil rights to new issues such as the Vietnam War and poverty.
❖Life for those in the ghettos was getting worse, with continued discrimination when it came to education and employment. The civil rights movement, focused on ending segregation in the south, had not addressed these issues.
❖It encouraged black people to be proud of their heritage.
How was the Black Power movement successful
❖It highlighted the importance of black culture and of taking pride in being black. Afro hairstyles and the wearing of dashikis became more common.
❖In 1967, the National Committee of Negro Churchmen was created.
❖The Black Panther Party implemented successful programmes such as free breakfasts for school children.
How did the SNCC show its support for the Black Power movement?
❖In 1966, Stokely Carmichael became chairman of the SNCC and changed the group’s direction because he was frustrated with the slow progress of non-violent tactics.
❖He brought Black Power campaigners into the SNCC.
❖SNCC became an all-black American group.
How did the Lowndes County Freedom Organisation show support for the Black Power movement?
This was an American political party founded by Stokely Carmichael in Lowndes County, Alabama, with the aim of getting black people to go out and vote. Its symbol was a black panther.
