AA: Organisations

• NAACP Origins

  Founded in 1909 due to concern about race riots and lynchings. Most of its members were sympathetic white people- it was an organisation for A/A not by A/A.
• NAACP General Approach

  Mainly used a legal approach. Focused on challenging the Jim Crow Laws in the south, saying they were against the overall American constitution. Defended A/A in court who claimed they has been victims of police torture in custody. Publicised lynching in the south to raise sympathy. NAACP initiatives include political lobbying, publicity efforts, and litigation strategies developed by its legal team.
• NAACP Political Gains

  Won a legal victory in 1915 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Guinn v. United States that grandfather clauses were unconstitutional. 
• NAACP Social Gains

  One of the organisation’s key victories was the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education that outlawed segregation in public schools. The NAACP also helped organise the 1963 March on Washington, one of the biggest civil rights rallies in U.S. history and had a hand in running 1964’s Mississippi Freedom Summer, an initiative to register Black Mississippians to vote.Organised the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Helped 9 black students at Little Rock.
• NAACP Economic Gains

  Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) of 1977: The NAACP supported the CRA, which encourages banks to help meet the credit needs of all communities, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. This act has facilitated access to loans and other financial services for African Americans, aiding in the economic development of underserved areas.
• NAACP Limitations

  They failed to get the KKK’s film ‘Nation of Islam’ banned. The organisation received some criticism for its strategy of working through the judicial system and lawmakers to achieve its goals, rather than focusing on more direct methods of protest favoured by other national civil rights groups. NAACP members were subject to harassment and violence.
• CORE Origins

  Founded in 1942 by an interracial group of students at the University of Chicago.
• CORE General Approach

  More pro-active in it’s protests than NAACP, but still used legal route mainly. Used nonviolent methods such as sit-ins and protests.
• CORE Political Gains

  Involvement into pushing the 1965 Voting Rights Act
• CORE Social Gains


  They helped organise the March on Washington, a turning point in AA Civil Rights and where Martin Luther King Jr made his famous “I Have a Dream” speech during its time. Freedom Rides of 1961, The Freedom Summer project of 1964. Campaigned to desegregate schools in Chicago.
• CORE Economic Gains

  CORE effectively used consumer boycotts to pressure businesses into changing discriminatory practices. These economic pressures not only led to more equitable treatment but also demonstrated the power of African American consumers in the marketplace, which had long-term implications for economic inclusion and recognition.
• CORE Weaknesses

  Once the group shifted towards Black nationalism and separatism the Group lost a lot of support including that of Martin Luther King Jr with many of their achievements being overlooked.
• The SCLC Origins

  Founded by Martin Luther King in the 1950s.
• SCLC General Approach

  Moved away from carefully planned legal challenges. More mass demonstrations and aiming for a broader appeal with more publicity. Strictly non violent and often very religious (Christian). Wanted to demonstrate the feelings of the masses and wanted to use their constitutional right to Freedom of Expression which was being denied in the Southern states.
• SCLC Political Gains

  The Civil Rights Act is largely seen as a result of SCLC and MLK.
• SCLC Social Gains

  Demonstration in Birmingham where police chief Bull Connor used force, gaining maximum publicity for the SCLC and MLK. March on Washington 1963- high point of civil rights movement with huge numbers of black and white people marching to the white house.
• SCLC Economic Gains

  Poor People's Campaign in 1968, which sought to address economic injustices affecting all disadvantaged Americans. This campaign highlighted issues such as poverty, unemployment, and inadequate housing, pushing for policies that would improve economic conditions.
• SCLC Weaknesses

  Overly dependent on the support of white liberals. Internal feuds and financial issues. Leadership Battles. Controversy between them and many African Americans for trying to use the church as a political tool.
• Nation of Islam Origins

  Created by Wallace Fard Muhammad. Main leader was Elijah Muhammad. Became well known in 1950s.
• Nation of Islam General Approach

  They founded Mosques and used their strong views of Black supremacy to attract a following with skilled orators like Malcolm X to speak for them. They also used Journals and magazine articles like Muhammed Speaks as well as appearing on a wide variety of New shows to spread awareness of their movement. During WW2 they also told their members to refuse military service in protest. Prioritised poverty and violence ahead of voting and political rights.
• Nation of Islam Political Gains

  Black supremacist views alienated White support. This in turn made federal support and therefore any tangible political change almost unattainable.
• Nation of Islam Social Gains

  The NOI's message of black pride, self-reliance, and empowerment resonated deeply within African American communities. The NOI offered a critique of the nonviolent, integrationist strategies of mainstream civil rights organizations. This provided a counter-narrative that emphasized self-defense and black nationalism, influencing the broader civil rights movement and encouraging a more militant approach to achieving political rights.
• Nation of Islam Economic Gains

  The NOI's emphasis on economic independence and self-sufficiency indirectly supported political rights by promoting the development of black-owned businesses and economic empowerment. 
• Nation of Islam Weaknesses

  Black supremacist views alienated White support. This in turn made federal support almost unattainable. Their radical Islamic views pushed away Christian AA. Their opposition to integration meant cooperation with the other mainstream Civil Rights Organisations was tough.
• Black Panthers Origins

  Created by Huey Newton and Bobby Seale in 1966
• Black Panther General Approach

  Openly carried weapons and formed ‘defence groups’ against police brutality. Often led to fighting in the streets. Black Panter salute used by two AA athletes in the 1968 olympics. No whites allowed the Black Panthers. Aimed for econoomic equality, and end to capitalist exploitation, better land and housing, and separate juries for black people and protection from police violence. Had chapters in several major cities. 
• Black Panther Political Gains

  Violence alienated White support. This in turn made federal support and therefore any tangible political change almost unattainable.
• Black Panther Social Gains

  The Chicago Black Panthers established a community service program. This included the provision of free breakfasts for schoolchildren and a medical clinic that did not charge patients for treatment. - established soup kitchens and social events, saturday schools, ect. Armed parades of “self-defence” in distinctive uniform - for 3 years this was the central focus of the movement and they recruited thousands in US cities. Encouraged black pride.
• Black Panthers Economic Gains

  The Panthers ran job training programs to equip community members with skills needed for employment. These programs aimed to reduce unemployment and underemployment in African American communities, directly addressing economic disparities.
• Black Panther Weaknesses

  Frequently harassed by the police, members became involved in several shoot-outs leading to a decline in membership.One of the founders, Newton, was shot in 1989. Didn’t work with governments at all. Hated by SCLC and NAACP - they thought black power was ruining the civil rights movement. Several different chapters meant no uniform ideas.