Nonviolent protest a useful tool in the Civil Rights Movement

Sample Solution

Absolutely, nonviolent protest was a powerful and useful tool in the Civil Rights Movement. Here's why:

• Moral High Ground: Nonviolence placed the moral burden on oppressors who responded with violence. This gained public sympathy and support for the Civil Rights cause.
• Media Attention: Peaceful protests garnered significant media coverage, exposing segregation and discrimination to a wider audience. This pressured lawmakers to address civil rights issues.

Full Answer Section

• Sustained Action: Nonviolent protests were easier to sustain over time. People were more likely to participate repeatedly without fear of retaliation.
• Unity and Discipline: Nonviolence required discipline and unity among protestors. This displayed the strength and organization of the movement.
• Historical Precedent: Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. drew inspiration from successful nonviolent movements like Mahatma Gandhi's in India.

• Nonviolence wasn't without its challenges. Protesters faced violence and brutality, but these acts further exposed the injustice they were fighting against.
• Nonviolence wasn't the only tactic used in the Movement. It coexisted with other strategies like boycotts and voter registration drives.