Causes of the radicalisation of the Civil Rights Movement

Besides, Vietnam War was a very expensive project, the money had to be diverted from other areas of government spending such as Johnson’s ‘Great Society’ and there could have simply been no resources for further improvements in civil rights. Since there could be no cooperation some activists began searching for more radical methods of achieving their aims. This would support the claim the Vietnam War was a major factor in bringing about the radicalisation of the Movement.

Another reason for the radicalisation of the Movement is the activists’ realisation that King’s non violence is not working very well. Particularly younger people were becoming fed up with the government’s promises and were inclined towards defending themselves when necessary (Malcolm X’s “by all means necessary). In the voting marches, in which CORE and SNCC participated, the protesters were armed and prepared to fight. This could also be due to Malcolm X’s influence on young people. Significant amount of Blacks were turning to the Black Power and Black Panthers who were violent in principle. This offered some kind of hope and security since they were able to defend themselves. The increased awareness of African heritage might have caused Blacks to want to stand up for their rights after years of being maltreated. The situation in the ghettos added fuel to the fire. Housing and schooling were certainly unequal, additionally, Whites didin’t want to live near Blacks.

        The situation in the Deep South states such as Mississippi can also be considered a major factor in bringing about the radicalisation of the Civil Rights Movement.  Poll taxes and legitimacy tests were still preventing majority of Blacks from voting. There were high expectations in regard to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and when they were not met there was anger. In 1966 James Meredith who set out for a march in order to encourage Blacks to vote was shot and temporarily immobilised causing much anger. This goes to show at what level the situation in the South persisted and is a significant reason for abandoning King’s non-violence.

Lastly, the radicalisation in Civil Rights Movement can be attributed to the divisions following a change in leadership in SNCC and CORE.  A good example of the division is the Meredith March where non-violent SCLC  members were chanting ‘freedom now’ while SNCC turned to aggressive ‘black power’. The new leaders of SNCC (Stokely Carmichael) and CORE (Floyd McKissik), consisting of young eager people, were Black Power enthusiasts and proved to be much more radical and violent than the previous ones.

All things considered, the Vietnam War was responsible for the radicalisation of the Civil Rights Movement only to a small extent. Even though it evoked anti-government feelings fueling the violence it was not its deepest cause. The reason for the radicalisation of the Movement lies in the ghettos. The poverty, poor education, lack opportunities and generally low standard of living were a trigger to the whole change in the Movement. We can see this in the race riots which occurred in all the bigger cities.