Final answer:
Martin Luther King Jr. advocated for nonviolent protest and integration, while Malcolm X initially promoted black self-sufficiency, skepticism of integration, and radical action but evolved to a more collaborative approach towards the end of his life. Their contrasting methods highlighted the diverse strategies within the civil rights movement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X differed significantly in their responses to segregation and the civil rights movement. King advocated for nonviolent protest, seeking integration and equality within the existing American society. He led peaceful marches and believed in working within the legal system to effect change. His iconic I Have a Dream speech encapsulates his vision of a racially integrated and harmonious America. Conversely, Malcolm X, influenced by his early experiences within the Nation of Islam, initially promoted black self-sufficiency and was skeptical of integration. He argued for a more radical approach that included self-defense against racial violence. Malcolm X's ideology evolved over time, especially after his pilgrimage to Mecca, where he began to advocate for working with other civil rights leaders. However, his earlier stance contributed to the idea of Black Power, which called for economic, social, and political independence.
Both leaders sought social justice, but their methodologies were distinct. King's stance is symbolized by the Selma to Montgomery marches and the historic 1965 Voting Rights Act, while Malcolm X's rhetoric and later actions influenced emerging groups like the Black Panthers who demanded faster, more assertive measures.