New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

The role of Malcolm X in the civil rights movement

I can describe the role of Malcolm X in the civil rights movement, including his changing attitudes.

New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

The role of Malcolm X in the civil rights movement

I can describe the role of Malcolm X in the civil rights movement, including his changing attitudes.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In his early life, Malcolm X belonged to the Black Muslims (Nation of Islam).
  2. Malcolm X did not agree with the involvement of white Americans in the civil rights movement.
  3. In his later life, Malcolm X changed his views and left the Black Muslims (Nation of Islam).

Keywords

  • Black Power - Black Power is the political name for groups aiming for self determination for black Americans

  • Orator - An orator is a public speaker

  • Separatism - Separatism is the belief that keeping people separate is the right thing to do; the Black Muslims believed in separating white and black Americans

  • White supremacists - white supremacists are people who believe that those identified as 'white' are superior to all other races

  • Pilgrimage - A pilgrimage is a religious journey to a place of significance; Muslims go on a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives

Common misconception

Malcolm X's main philosophy was the use of violence in order to fight racial injustice.

Malcolm X supported Black Nationalism and encouraged black Americans to defend themselves by any means necessary, although this did endorse violence, Malcolm X spent much of his time with the Black Muslims supporting black Americans in poorer areas.

In explaining Malcolm X's role in the civil rights movement, he is often placed at odds with Martin Luther King. However, there are several points in the lesson to emphasise that Malcolm X believed they had the same goal and his change in attitudes brought them closer together.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
  • Depiction or discussion of serious crime

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
The Greensboro sit-in led to the formation of the...
CORE
Correct answer: SNCC
SCLC
NAACP
Q2.
In which year had the Supreme Court ordered interstate bus terminals and stations to desegregate?
1959
Correct answer: 1960
1961
1962
Q3.
At which university did James Meredith attempt to enrol?
Florida State
Oxford
Correct answer: Mississippi
Little Rock
Q4.
How many protestors took part in the March on Washington?
125 000
200 000
225 000
Correct answer: 250 000
Q5.
Under which president were the 1964 Civil Rights Act and 1965 Voting Rights Act passed?
Eisenhower
Kennedy
Correct answer: Johnson
Nixon
Q6.
The success of the Civil Rights movement in the early 1960s was due to...
Correct answer: non-violent direct action
the Black Power movement
Correct answer: greater federal intervention
racism declining in the South

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of these statements best describes Malcolm X's early life?
peaceful
Correct answer: violent
Correct answer: chaotic
calm
Q2.
During his time in prison, Malcolm X became involved with a group known as the Nation of...
Correct Answer: Islam, islam
Q3.
The Black Muslims believed in...
Correct Answer: separatism, Separatism
Q4.
Why did Malcolm change his surname to 'X'?
To make him more distinctive and memorable.
To evade the FBI and other law enforcement bodies.
Correct answer: To reject his family surname that had come from slavery.
Q5.
How did Malcom X's 1964 pilgrimage to Mecca influence him?
He rejected the teachings of Islam.
His views on violence and separatism became even stronger.
Correct answer: He no longer encouraged people to turn against White Americans.
Q6.
Malcolm X was assassinated in...
Correct Answer: 1965, nineteen sixty five

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