What were two major strategies used by civil rights activists in the 1950s and 1960s?

• A. Violent uprisings and armed conflicts
• B. Economic boycotts and strikes only
• C. Military alliances and external pressure
• D. Civil rights activists primarily used political lobbying within parties

Answer: (D)

Two major strategies used by civil rights activists in the 1950s and 1960s were nonviolent direct action and pursuing legal changes through the courts. Nonviolent direct action included organized sit-ins, freedom rides, boycotts, and large peaceful demonstrations that exposed segregation and pressured society to change. These actions aimed to win public sympathy and compel policymakers to reform unjust practices without violence. The second strategy focused on challenging discriminatory laws and practices in the judicial system. Groups like the NAACP used court cases to overturn segregation and fight for equal protection under the law, with landmark decisions and subsequent federal legislation building on those legal wins. Together, these approaches helped bring about powerful changes, culminating in major civil rights laws in the mid-1960s. Other described approaches, such as relying on violent uprisings or only economic pressure, do not reflect the broad, sustained nonviolent and legal campaign that defined the era.