1960s Dbq Analysis

Martin Luther King and Malcom X, both prominent figures in the Civil Rights movement, had vastly different views on segregation and violence. The first time these two met was at the U.S. Capitol in 1964 to watch the Senate debate on a Civil Rights bill. Of the two, Martin Luther king had the better philosophy for America in the 1960’s because of his views on Integration, economics, and anti-violence.

During the 1790 the country was split up over the rise of political parties. There were the federalists led by alexander hamilton and the democratic-republicans led by Alexander Hamilton and the democratic republicans led by tomas jefferson. The federalists and democratic-republicans have different views on many things, including the interpretation of the constitution, strong parts of the nation's economy and if the alien and sedition acts were important to have in our country.

Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were both civil rights leaders during the 1960’s. They were both revolutionary in their ideas, but the each had very different approaches on crucial issues. So whose philosophy was more appropriate for the time period? After examining the philosophies of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X on the following issues: violence, integration, and protesting, it is clear that Malcolm X had the better philosophy for America in the 1960’s.

During the 1960's, there was a great deal of civil rights injustices addressed by Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Although Malcolm X was a prominent civil rights activist who used several examples of distinctive tones and a harsh point of view, along with a self-educational background, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) used a more refined method including justice and integration towards African American rights. Both men addressed religious, education, justice/injustice, and both were supporting integration towards the end of their life in “The Ballot Vs. the Bullet, Learning to Read, and Letter from Birmingham” will display the indistinguishability and variance of the 2 activists.

Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) and Malcolm Little (X) were both brilliant men who fought for the same idea but composed different ways to solve it. Martin Luther King believed in Gandhian Philosophy, originated by its composer Mohandas Gandhi, which introduced nonviolent resistance to MLK. Martin Luther King sought to “reconcile the truth of two opposites...”(Stride Toward Freedom p302) one being acquiescence which makes the oppressed, continue to be oppressed. The other being violence, which relieves the problem, only for a moment. Malcolm X says he doesn't disagree, neither agree with MLK’s statement, he implies that he is with violent resistance. Malcolm X’s method of dealing with oppression by the whites is a more efficient method then standing around and essentially doing nothing about it.

The American Civil Rights had many moving parts and the many accomplishments can be attributed to the persistence and sacrifice of many that participated both black and white. Two seminal figures in the movement were Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X. While they were similar in many accounts and held many of the same beliefs King is usually portrayed as a pacifist while X is a rabble rouser ready looking for a reason to use violence. Two diametrically opposed sides of the same coin whose accomplishments may not have happened if not for the other. The love of and fear of are two of the strongest motivators known to man. King use love and the quality of love in his address while X uses fear in attempts to motivate change.

The fifties and sixties were a crazy time to live; riots were happening, many Civil Rights Movement leaders were speaking in the streets, and student sit-ins were held. Many radical activists were preaching their thoughts on racism and things needed for equality. Some people felt it necessary to turn the other cheek to violence while others claimed it to be a right to defend themselves. The major figures in the Civil Rights Movement had their own opinions on how to equalize society. Martin Luther King, Jr. felt that a peaceful movement was the best route to freedom. I discovered after much research that famous African American figures tended to side with Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad on the best approach. Rosa Parks, Maya

Malcolm X and the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had very different lives growing up. Malcolm X had a more violent childhood, his father was murdered by a white supremacist group and his mother suffered a severe mental breakdown. King had a more civil and removed life growing up. He was raised in the church and his father was a preacher. These home lives had a great effect on how they both viewed injustices throughout the civil rights movement. Although Malcolm X displayed a more hostile tone in “Ballot or Bullet,” King, eloquently displayed his point of view of integration in “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” making him a superior persuader.

During the Civil Rights movement, two leaders stood out from the rest. These two men were Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Although they were fighting for the same ideal, Martin luther king and Malcolm X had very different ways to achieve civil rights for all. Although both men’s ways worked for America, Martin Luther King Jr’s ways worked best because he understood that violence will not earn african americans the rights they deserve.

Between 1955 and 1968 was The United states largest Civil Rights movement. The Civil rights movement was improving because of the non-violent acts led by Martin Luther King Jr. The process of equality was improving very slowly but did not meet the expectations of a Muslim man named Malcolm X. His tactics were violent and his followers discriminated the whites by calling them “devils.” He wanted to see direct results so he was the main leader in charge of the Black Panther Party which was a self defense group that physically fought for rights of African Americans. Malcolm X was a man of great strengths, he influenced other people to fight for their rights, by having a powerful way with words. Malcolm x’s violent protests were less effective than non-violent protests because history has shown that Martin

Both had led black Americans through extremist ways but through separate ideologies. To Martin Luther King Jr., non-violence was the route to being heard by the government. In his letter addressed to ministers demanding him to cease his demonstrations, King penned, “Non-violent direct actions seeks to create such a crisis…creative tension that a community has…forced to confront the issue,” (743). Sit-ins and protest on streets were able to grab the attention of neighborhoods, cities and government officials. The direct measures of protest were creating an actual impact in the civil rights movement. Further with time however, MLK’s movement went from nonviolent pacifism to a more radical movement, quite opposite from Malcolm X. In Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter, he also notes that, “freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed,” (743). When promises came back empty, Malcolm X stepped in to guide lead the way in his separatist movement. His fight called for a more direct approach to getting the civil rights that black Americans deserved. X called upon his brothers and sisters, telling them to realize that because of such segregation in America, “being born in America doesn't make you an American,” (750) since the government does not fairly protect them as a people, just as the Constitution states. To Malcolm X, the unfairness that is felt in the country should be fought by re-evaluating their own community; there is no need for the white oppressors to bring them up from their level. His separatist movement resonated throughout many black communities in the US and eventually created a very strong Black Nationalist movement that would, in hopes, bring them their liberties as

According to black struggle movement, Dr.Martin Luther King and Malcolm X are well known prominent figures in the history. Both were activist in civil rights movement who fought in other to end inequality that was toward the African American Community. Therefore, both leaders fought for inequality for the African American. Martin Luther King an advocate of racial integration did not only call for the systematic racial segregation instead but the integration of goals and leveling of barriers in other to create opportunities of race.

The 1960's was a time of great civil strife, even though the nonviolence approach won out and became the best way to handle the problems, there was different ideas. Mainly there was the idea of healing the economic health of the black communities by doing nonviolent marches and boycotts. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said " ...by refusing to purchase the prducts from companies which do not hire Negroes in meaningful numbers ... increased the income of the Nergo community by more the two million dollars annually..." This statement from Dr. King proves that nonviolent prostest does help communities that needed the extra money. While that might seem the answer to the problem there was another way to slove the problem and Malcolm X had the solution.

The 1950s and the 1960s was a time marked by the civil rights struggle, and this struggle was mainly influenced by two leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcom X. This mid- 20th century movement was marked by the struggle of the African-American community to gain various things such as basic rights. Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr. had an equal impact on the struggle for civil rights, since in an essence they both effected the movement in the same ways even though many of their ideologies were different. King and X both empowered the African-American community by instilling pride in them by making them feel equal to the whites and inspiring the African American community to fight for their rights. These were the impacts King and X had on

America in the 1960s was not the finest time for African Americans, especially in the South. There was racism, injustice and inequality. However, the ‘devotees’ of the civil rights movement were dedicated and passionate about making a difference. Martin Luther King Jr. was one of those pioneers that remained true in what he believed in no matter what the circumstance.