Evaluate the impact of Black Power on the civil rights movement in the United States.

The question requires candidates to make an appraisal of the impact of Black Power on the civil rights movement in the United States, weighing up its strengths and importance. Candidates may see the impact as positive or negative or mixed, but they must support their answer with evidence from the period. Black Power is seen as starting with Stokely Carmichael, who grew tired of the slow progress made by Martin Luther King Jr, the beatings of the protesters and the actions of the Ku Klux Klan. Malcolm X’s philosophy of self-defence and meeting violence with violence, and the later formation of the Black Panthers, also contributed to the growth of Black Power. Candidates may refer to the resulting rifts within the civil rights movement and the loss of white support as negative impacts. Positive impacts could be that Black Power led to an increase in black pride, emphasizing black culture and African ties. The Black Panthers Ten Point Program emphasized education, self-reliance and economic justice programs, all of which appealed to young, urban blacks who had lost faith in King’s non-violent approach. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

Evaluate the impact of Black Power on the civil rights movement in the United States. This was one of the questions that led to responses that did not address the specific question demands, gave a detailed account and evaluation of the impact of the civil rights movement as a whole, and interpreted Black Power as power for blacks. However, there were stronger essays based on detailed specific knowledge, a balanced evaluation of the impact of the Black Power movement, and awareness of different perspectives.