The emergence of the Black Power movement
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the reasons for the emergence of the Black Power, the role of Stokely Carmichael and the significance of the Mexico Olympics.
Key learning points
- Continued riots and unrest following the Civil Rights Act (1964) led to some looking for new methods of protest.
- Stokely Carmichael led several other members of SNCC to reject many groups and create their own political force.
- The Black Power movement faced a lot of criticism because some believed it meant separatism.
- The Mexico Olympics (1968) raised the profile of the Black Power Movement, with several athletes pledging their support.
Keywords
Integrated - integrated groups are groups with both black and white Americans
Black Power - Black Power is the political name for groups aiming for self determination for black Americans
Self-determination - self-determination is when a person or group is able to control their own life/lives
Self-sufficiency - to be able to provide for yourself without any outside help is called self-sufficiency
Separatism - separatism is the the belief that keeping people separate is the right thing to do; the Black Muslims believed in separating white and black Americans
Common misconception
The Black Power movement was entirely separate from the civil rights movement.
Many of the leading figures of the Black Power movement began as civil rights activists, who had grown frustrated with the lack of progress and looked to more radical methods and beliefs.
Teacher tip
When explaining key features of the Black Power movement, emphasise the similarities with the mainstream civil rights movement. Although the Black Power movement advocated for separatism, they also looked to address the inequalities and racial injustice that black Americans faced.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the following keywords with the correct definitions.
political name for groups for self determination for Black Americans
a public speaker
people who believe that those identified as 'white' are superior
a religious journey to a place of significance
Q2.What keyword describes the belief that keeping people separate is the right thing to do?
Q3.What group was also known as the Nation of Islam?
Q4.What happened to Malcolm X in 1965?
Q5.Malcolm X's changing policies went on to become the foundation of which of the following?
Q6.By the end of 1964, who was Malcolm X moving towards some level of alliance with?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to the correct definitions.
groups with both black and white Americans
when a person or group is able to control their own life/lives
to be able to provide for yourself without any outside help
Q2.Whose slogan was ‘Black Power for Black People’?
Q3.Which event raised the profile of the Black Power Movement?
Q4.What did Stokely Carmichael and the Black Power movement support/encourage amongst black Americans?
Q5.How did many white Americans interpret the Black Power movement?
Q6.The assassination of who resulted in rapidly increasing support for a militant approach to the fight against racial injustice?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The emergence of the Black Power movement, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The emergence of the Black Power movement, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the The USA, 1954–75 conflict at home and abroad unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.