Erin Watson Topic 3
Black Power Movement
Reasons for the Movement
o The CRM had achieved some successes in the
southern states, but the black Americans in the inner
city ghettos of the major cities in the northern
states felt that their problems had been largely
ignored.
o By 1965 50% of black people lived in the Northern
States.
o The majority of these lived in ghettos and dealt with poor
housing, poor schools and unemployment.
o Many of these black Americans drifted into gangs and
became involved in using and selling drugs, petty theft
and muggings.
o The police offered little protection - in fact they were
often guilty of brutality and discrimination and
harassment.
o Because of this, many black people in the North became
disillusioned with the CRM and its non-violence. They
felt non-violence was not changing their lives.
o Thus they began to look for more aggressive ways of
resistance.
Some Black Power beliefs
- Black self-pride and self-esteem. ‘Black is Beautiful’.
- The promotion of black interests
- Black self-help
- Self-defence against racial oppression
- The fostering of a black culture
- A self-sufficient black economy.
Page 1 of 14
, Erin Watson Topic 3
Black Power was not a formal organisation.
And there were different ideologies within the group itself.
Some people, like Malcolm X believed in black separation
and self-determination rather than integrating with white
people. This is a form of ‘black nationalism’.
Watts Riots
o One of the stimuli for Black Power was the Watts
Riots of the mid 1960s.
o These were very serious and widespread riots that took
place in August of 1965 in the Watts district of Los
Angeles.
o These riots left 34 dead, hundreds injured and 4000
arrested. In 1966 there were severe riots in 38 cities and
in 1967 areas in Detroit and Newark were looted and
burned.
o These riots revolved around things like poor housing and
police brutality.
Kerner Commission
This Commission was appointed to investigate the causes of
the riots. It found that:
o 40% of black people lived below the poverty line
o Twice as many black men were unemployed in
comparison to white men
o Three times as many black people were in poorly paid
jobs
And so the conclusion reached was that the riots were mainly a
result of white racism.
However, the US government made little effort to address
these problems.
Page 2 of 14
Black Power Movement
Reasons for the Movement
o The CRM had achieved some successes in the
southern states, but the black Americans in the inner
city ghettos of the major cities in the northern
states felt that their problems had been largely
ignored.
o By 1965 50% of black people lived in the Northern
States.
o The majority of these lived in ghettos and dealt with poor
housing, poor schools and unemployment.
o Many of these black Americans drifted into gangs and
became involved in using and selling drugs, petty theft
and muggings.
o The police offered little protection - in fact they were
often guilty of brutality and discrimination and
harassment.
o Because of this, many black people in the North became
disillusioned with the CRM and its non-violence. They
felt non-violence was not changing their lives.
o Thus they began to look for more aggressive ways of
resistance.
Some Black Power beliefs
- Black self-pride and self-esteem. ‘Black is Beautiful’.
- The promotion of black interests
- Black self-help
- Self-defence against racial oppression
- The fostering of a black culture
- A self-sufficient black economy.
Page 1 of 14
, Erin Watson Topic 3
Black Power was not a formal organisation.
And there were different ideologies within the group itself.
Some people, like Malcolm X believed in black separation
and self-determination rather than integrating with white
people. This is a form of ‘black nationalism’.
Watts Riots
o One of the stimuli for Black Power was the Watts
Riots of the mid 1960s.
o These were very serious and widespread riots that took
place in August of 1965 in the Watts district of Los
Angeles.
o These riots left 34 dead, hundreds injured and 4000
arrested. In 1966 there were severe riots in 38 cities and
in 1967 areas in Detroit and Newark were looted and
burned.
o These riots revolved around things like poor housing and
police brutality.
Kerner Commission
This Commission was appointed to investigate the causes of
the riots. It found that:
o 40% of black people lived below the poverty line
o Twice as many black men were unemployed in
comparison to white men
o Three times as many black people were in poorly paid
jobs
And so the conclusion reached was that the riots were mainly a
result of white racism.
However, the US government made little effort to address
these problems.
Page 2 of 14
