MLK vs Malcolm X

Question 1

Aims of MLK:

Answer 1

Integration and equality with whites

Fully equal CRs including end to segregation and discrimination and full voting rights

Equality de facto as well as de jure, e.g. right to live in same areas as whites

Reduction of poverty for Americans of all races

Question 2

Methods of Martin Luther King:

Answer 2

Non-violent marches, boycotts, use of media and lobbying white politicians

In practice MLK deliberately provoked violence from racist police chiefs like Connor in Birmingham to ensure favourable media coverage and federal govt intervention

Question 3

Successes of Martin Luther King:

Answer 3

Civil Rights Act 1964 ended legal segregation and discrimination

Voting Rights Act 1965 gained equal voting rights and led by 1970s to significant numbers of AAs holding political office for first time since Reconstruction

Question 4

Failures of Martin Luther King:

Answer 4

Segregation ended de jure but not de facto, e.g. Chicago campaign failed to achieve residential integration b/c of this AAs still mostly attended separate and inferior schools

Poverty gap between whites and AAs actually widened in 1960s

Continued police violence and discrimination against AAs by legal system

Question 5

Aims of Malcolm X:

Answer 5

AAs to be proud to be black and see themselves as Africans not Americans

Black supremacy and separation from whites

AAs to have right to defend themselves

AAs to reject Christianity and convert to Islam

AAs to free themselves from poverty, drugs and crime

Question 6

Methods of Malcolm X:

Answer 6

Preached Islam and separatism but couldn’t get involved in politics directly b/c Elijah Muhammed insisted

Nation of Islam purely religious movement

Tried to collaborate with other CR groups after he left Nation of Islam in 1964

Question 7

Successes of Malcolm X:

Answer 7

Most charismatic black supremacist ever, inspiring Black power movement

Had ability MLK couldn’t match to reach angry young AA men in northern cities

Could intimidate whites into making concessions

Question 8

Failures of Malcolm X:

Answer 8

Inability to participate in politics until 1964 meant he couldn’t influence legislation as MLK could; nothing to match Civil and Voting Rights Act 1964-65

Seen by whites as “extremist” so couldn’t influence white politicians as MLK could; in fact his extremism made it harder for MLK to improve AA CRs