American history help

Question

Why was the tactic of nonviolence during the Civil Rights Movement so successful in achieving change?

A.) Segregationists saw that there was nothing to fear from African Americans.

B.) The violent response of segregationists provoked moral outrage in onlookers.

C.) The moral stance of the protesters influenced Supreme Court justices in several key court decisions.

D.) Local governments stepped in to enforce the law and protect African American protesters.

Answer 1

The best answer is B. Martin Luther King was aware that most Americans have a conscience and dislike injustice. When nonviolent protests were met by violent local police, Americans were shocked. The media was important here in that the violence was shown on Television and in newspapers. There are famous photos of police dogs attacking protesters, clubbing of protesters and high pressure water hoses being used on protesters. The Constitution guarantees the right to peacefully assemble and the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. (1st Amendment) People outside the South were upset that these rights were being violated. They then put pressure on their representatives in government to support the protesters.