SECONDARY SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAMME (SSIP) 2015
GRADE 12
SUBJECT:
HISTORY
LEARNER HOMEWORK SOLUTIONS
(Page 1 of 9)
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SESSION NO: 5
TOPIC: CIVIL SOCIETY PROTESTS FROM THE 1950S TO THE 1970S
QUESTION FOCUS: BLACK POWER MOVEMENT
QUESTION 1:
Sources: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/black_power.htm
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/black_panthers.htm
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/malcolm_x.htm
Learner note: Use the information of this essay memorandum to add to the study
material that you already have. It will provide you with a lot of background information
about Black Power, Stokely Carmichael, Black Panthers, Malcolm X and the Nation
of Islam. It is not expected that you write down all of this information for an essay,
you should just be able to make use of the most important Historical information to
use and structure your argument for a given essay topic.
Synopsis:
The candidate should clearly state to what extent and why some African Americans
wanted a more direct approach to ensure civil rights. They must use the PEEL writing
frame and remember to link each paragraph back to the point/ argument.
Introduction:
The candidate should provide a direct answer to the question e.g. stating that due to
the slow pace of change many African Americans from poorer communities wanted
to make use of a more violent approach than a passive approach.
The introduction should outline the ideas/ argument that will be used to support the
answer.
Body:
 "Black Power"
 Stokely Carmichael
 Militants in anti-white rhetoric also used “Black Power”.
 A cry against the whites that held all the resources in a white-dominated
society.
 A way of elevating the status of African Americans in society but then dropping
such a potentially inflammatory call once this had started, as it would serve no
positive purpose after that advance.
 African Americans could advance themselves in American society.
 Wanted no integration with whites whatsoever.
 Wanted a purely black society in which white people were not allowed to
trespass.
 The whole theory of racial integration was rejected. Stokely Carmichael was a
believer in this approach. "Black Power" was seen as a way of resurrecting
"Black Pride" and African-American culture. Carmichael said in 1966: "We
have to do what every group in this country did - we gotta take over the
community where we outnumber people so we can have decent jobs."
 Keep whites away from blacks, simply did not trust whites.
 It followed that if whites could not be trusted, then blacks would have to do
everything for themselves if they were to control their own political and
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economic destiny. "If the whites felt abandoned, that was too bad." (Patterson
1996)
The idea of Black Power and of taking control of one's own destiny appealed
to many African Americans, especially those who were used to police brutality
and white racism. They believed in self-defense.
The NAACP condemned "Black Power" as a "menace to peace and
prosperity………no negro who is fighting for civil rights can support black
power, which is opposed to civil rights and integration."
Martin Luther King was more diplomatic in his criticism of the phrase. He
believed that the term "Black Power" was "unfortunate because it tends to give
the impression of black nationalism…………black supremacy would be as evil
as white supremacy.
The Black Panthers were formed in California in 1966 and they played a short
but important part in the struggle for civil rights.
The Black Panthers believed that the non-violent campaign of Martin Luther
King had failed and any promised changes to their lifestyle via the 'traditional'
Civil Rights Movement, would take too long to be implemented or simply not
introduced.
The language of the Black Panthers was violent as was their public stance.
The two founders of the Black Panther Party were Huey Percy Newton and
Bobby Seale. They preached for a "revolutionary war" but though they
considered themselves an African-American party, they were willing to speak
out for all those who were oppressed from whatever minority group. They
were willing to use violence to get what they wanted.
The Black Panther Party (BPP) had four desires: equality in education,
housing, employment and civil rights. It had a 10 Point Plan to get its desired
goals.
The ten points of the party platform were:
1) Freedom
2) Full Employment
3) End to robbery of Black communities
4) Decent housing fit for the shelter of human beings
5) Education for the people
6) Free health care
7) End to police brutality and murder
8) End to all wars of aggression
9) Freedom for all political prisoners
10) Land, bread, housing, education, clothing, justice, peace and community
control of modern industry. This last point might be perceived as communistic
and would place the Black Panthers under the FBI searchlight.
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The call for a revolutionary war against authority at the time of the Vietnam
War alerted the FBI to the Black Panther's activities.
The FBI was successful in destroying the Black Panther's movement.
Although the Black Panther Party was destroyed it did paly an important role
to instill pride and self-worth for the African Americans and that they should
not fear authority.
The head of the FBI, Edgar J Hoover, called the BPP "the greatest threat to
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the internal security of the country." Hoover ordered field operatives of the FBI
to introduce measures that would cripple the BPP.
Using infiltrators (one of these, William O'Neal, became Chief of Security for
the BPP), the FBI knew of all the movements of BPP leaders. FBI raids in BPP
heartlands - Chicago and Los Angeles - that led to the arrest of regional
leaders, resulted in the collapse of the movement.
To view the BPP as a purely revolutionary and violent movement is wrong. In
areas of support the BPP created a Free Food Program to feed those who
could not afford to do so for themselves; Free Medical Research Health
Clinics to provide basic health care for those who could not afford it and an
Intercommunal Youth Band to give community pride to the movement. In a
book of his essays called "To Die for the People", Huey Newton wrote that
these were exactly what the African-American community wanted and that the
BPP was providing its own people with something the government was not.
Such community projects have survived in other guises, but after the demise
of the BPP they lost their drive for a number of years.
In 1966, a survey carried out in America showed that less than 5% of AfricanAmericans approved of groups such as the BPP. 60% were positively hostile
to such groups.
In areas such as Oakland and parts of San Francisco and South San
Francisco where the BPP claimed to feed nearly 200,000 people, support
would have been a lot higher.
Malcolm X became a very controversial figure during the classic years of the
American civil rights actions as he preached race separation as opposed to
integration.
Malcolm X believed in separatism – blacks living separate from whites in USA.
In 1945 Malcolm X received a 10-year jail sentence for his crimes.
While in prison in Massachusetts, Malcolm X became a member of NOI. He
was persuaded to do so by his brothers Philbert and Reginald who were both
members of NOI.
Malcolm X was released from prison in 1952 and adopted the name Malcolm
X as he believed Malcolm Little represented a slave name. Many African
Americans would do the same to disregard their so-called 'slave name'
Malcolm X worked within the NOI movement. He quickly rose in importance
within NOI and as Minister of Temple Number 7 in Harlem (NY) he gathered
around him a number of devoted followers all from the ghetto.
Malcolm X referred to white people as “devils” and he rejected integration in
favour of segregation. His verbal attacks against White America became more
and more bitter. Malcolm X became a national/international figure between
1959 and 1965.
Many young African Americans found Malcolm X's approach appealing and
they agreed with the idea of using violence in order to obtain their freedom
However, members within NOI believed that Malcolm X was using the
organisation for his own benefits – to push his name forward at all costs.
Some believed that he was scheming to replace Elijah Muhammad as leader
of NOI.
In 1963 members of NOI had been told by Elijah Muhammad not to comment
on the death of JF Kennedy. Malcolm X refused to obey this instruction and
made unsympathetic comments about Kennedy’s murder stating that his
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assassination was “chickens coming home to roost”. Elijah Muhammad
banned him from speaking in public for 90 days and Malcolm X adhered to
this. But it was a sign on the tension within NOI.
Malcolm X left NOI in March 1964 as he felt that NOI was too passive as an
organisation and that it was waiting for change to come as opposed to trying
to force it through, as he wanted. However, he had made enemies in NOI. He
set up the Muslim Mosque Inc. and then the Organisation of Afro-American
Unity (OAAU). The aim of the latter was to unite all people of African origin
and to push for full independence – segregation – of black people in USA.
However, as Malcolm X got older, he adapted his beliefs. This was almost
certainly as a result of a pilgrimage he made to Mecca.
By the time of his death he had embraced orthodox Islam, which included
racial toleration. He started to make contact with white non-American Muslims.
His supporters claim that this development was simply a sincere development
in his beliefs. His detractors believed that he was reshaping his beliefs to
broaden his popularity that up to that point had targeted a very narrow front.
But it counted for nothing as Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21st
1965 in Manhattan. Three members of NOI Temple No 25 were arrested, tried
and found guilty of his murder – Norman Butler, Talmadge Hayer and Thomas
Johnson.
Malcolm X certainly highlighted - prejudice almost like the legendary civil rights
broadcast done by J F Kennedy, when the president highlighted the
differences in lifestyle between blacks and whites in USA. The huge difference
was the way Malcolm X believed such problems could be solved. He believed
that African Americans should 'take their freedom' and many African
Americans supported him in this view.
Another argument has been forwarded. Malcolm X knew all along that what he
was saying and pushing for would be rejected by Washington and that his
views would shock the white political power brokers in Washington and make
the views of Martin Luther King seem far more acceptable. By rejecting
Malcolm X, it is said that he made Washington accept the views of King – a
ploy he was not only aware of but was driving all along.
Many young dispossessed black youths followed Malcolm X as he at the time
seemed to be the only one who offered them some form of hope and future.
Conclusion:
The candidate should tie up his/her argument and provide a final evaluation as to
why some African Americans opted for the Black Power Movement. E.g. African
Americans who were subjected to racial attacks, police brutality and poverty due to
their 'race' were tired of waiting and therefore ideas such as 'Black Power' appealed
to them. An organisation e.g. the Black Panthers would give these disgruntled youths
hope in defending themselves against racist attacks and fighting for freedom, even if
they would have to take it by violence. Malcolm X appealed to the poorer African
Americans especially those in the Southern States, to stand up for their beliefs and to
take what is rightfully theirs, freedom.
Use the Matrix on the following page to mark your essay
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Presentation
Content
LEVEL 7
Question has been
fully answered.
Content selection
fully relevant to line of
argument.
LEVEL 6
Question has been
answered. Content
selection relevant to a
line of argument.
LEVEL 5
Question answered to a
great extent. Content
adequately covered and
relevant.
LEVEL 4
Question
recognisable in
answer.
Some omissions or
irrelevant content
selection.
LEVEL 3
Content selection does
relate to the question,
but does not answer it,
or does not always
relate to the question.
Omissions in
coverage.
LEVEL 2
Question inadequately
addressed.
Sparse content.
LEVEL 7
Very well
planned and
structured
essay.
Good synthesis
of information.
Developed an
original, well
balanced and
independent line
of argument with
the use of
evidence,
sustained and
defended the
argument
throughout.
Independent
conclusion is
drawn from
evidence to
support the line
of argument.
LEVEL 6
Very well
planned and
structured
essay.
Developed a
relevant line of
argument.
Evidence used
to defend the
argument.
Attempts to
draw an
independent
conclusion.
from the
evidence to
support the line
of argument.
LEVEL 5
Well-planned
and structured
essay.
Attempts to
develop a
clear
argument.
Conclusion
drawn from
the evidence
to support the
line of
argument.
LEVEL 4
Planned and
constructed
an argument.
Evidence is
used to some
extent to
support the
line of
argument
Conclusions
reached
based on
evidence.
LEVEL 3
Shows some
evidence of a
planned and
constructed
argument.
Attempts to
sustain a line of
argument.
Conclusions not
clearly
supported by
evidence.
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43-46
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38-39
38-39
36-37
34-35
30-33
30-33
28-29
26-27
26-27
24-25
20-23
20-23
18-19
15-17
15-17
0-13
LEVEL 1
Question inadequately
addressed or not at all.
Inadequate or irrelevant
content.
LEVEL 2
Attempts to
structure an
answer.
Largely
descriptive, or
some attempt
at developing a
line of
argument. No
attempt to
draw a
conclusion
LEVEL1
Little or no
attempt to
structure the
essay.
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SESSION NO: 6
TOPIC: CIVIL RESISTANCE, 1970S TO 1980S
QUESTION FOCUS: THE CHALLENGE OF BLACK CONSCIOUSNESS IN THE
1970S
QUESTION 1:
1.1
• Refused to eat meals and drink water
• Hunger strike
(any 1 x 2) (2)
1.2
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No – Kruger gave an inaccurate account of events
Biko died of injuries that he sustained from police brutality and not as Kruger
put it from a hunger strike
Kruger tried to protect himself and the police officials that were responsible for
the death of Biko 
(2 x 2) (4)
1.3
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Uncaring
Indifferent
No feeling of compassion for a fellow human being
(any 1 x 2) (2)
1.4
a)
b)
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The death of Steve Biko
(1 x 2) (2)
Kruger’s mouth is sealed because he made insensitive comments
regarding the death of Biko
Kruger’s mouth is sealed because further comments may compromise
the National Party government
The truth was not to be revealed
Any other relevant response
(any 1 x 2) (2)
QUESTION 2:
2.1
 Black consciousness was a movement, which sought to conscientise the
masses (Black people) of their political, cultural and economic rights
 Black people should be proud of themselves and strive to be self- reliant
(any 1 x 2) (2)
2.2
•
Oppressed by an external world through institutionalised machinery and
through laws which restrict him from doing certain things
•
Black man in himself has developed a certain state of alienation
(2 x 1)(2)
2.3
• External world
• Heavy work conditions
• Poor pay
• Difficult living conditions
• Poor education
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•
•
•
•
•
•
Develops a state of alienation
Homes are different
Streets are different
Lights are different
Lacking in self-esteem and confidence
Any other relevant response
•
•
•
The apartheid system subjected the black man to this alienation
The black man had no voice
Any other relevant response
(any 1 x 2)(2)
•
Useful
Learner note: you have to provide reasons to substantiate why the
source is useful in order to obtain full marks. Marks are not given for
merely writing 'useful.' Remember that you always have to support your
answer with Historical facts.
•
•
Ensured country moved forward towards elections 
The writer, Donald Woods (personal friend of Biko) a white, sacrificed
his privileges to expose the injustices and sufferings of blacks as a
result of apartheid rule
Factual account presented of the meaning and understanding of Black
Consciousness
Can be tested against evidence in other sources
Any other relevant response
(any 2 x 2)(4)
(any 3 x 1)(3)
2.4
2.5
•
•
•
Question 3:
3.1
 Morobe lived in a black township and became acutely aware of struggle for
liberation
 Morobe was influenced by student uprising in other parts of the world
 Read banned published books
(any 1 x 2) (2)
3.2
•
The government viewed BCM as a threat to its policy of apartheid
•
It feared the spread of the BCM would form a greater opposition to White
interests
•
It was concerned about the influence that the teachings of BC
•
Viewed it as a challenge to white minority rule
•
Any other relevant response
(any 1 x 2) (2)
3.3
•
•
•
Black Power struggle in the USA inspired Biko in formulating his philosophy of
Black Consciousness and resistance
Made Biko realise the need for self esteem and dignity among black
Any other relevant response
(2 x 2) (4)
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3.4
•
•
•
•
They were intimidated by the police
Afraid that the police would detain them and arrest them
To be out of sight from the authorities
Any other relevant response
(any 1 x 2) (2)
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