Black Power - GCSE History Definition

Black Power was a movement in the 1960s and 1970s, mostly in the USA, that aimed to give Black people more pride, power, and control over their own lives. It was different from the earlier civil rights movement, which focused on peaceful protest and working with white people. Instead, Black Power encouraged Black people to violently stand up for themselves, be proud of their identity, and build their own communities, businesses, and political groups. Important people and groups in the Black Power movement include Malcolm X, Stokely Carmichael, and the Black Panther Party. The movement didn’t just focus on politics. It also influenced Black music, art, and education. For GCSE History students, Black Power is important because it helped change the way people thought about the fight for Black rights, with more focus on strength, pride, and independence.