Which term best describes the tactic of achieving civil rights through nonviolent, mass mobilization?

• A. Armed insurrection
• B. Economic boycott without protests
• C. Nonviolent direct action
• D. Legalistic litigation

Answer: (C)

Nonviolent direct action is a strategy that combines peaceful protests, civil disobedience, and collective, mass participation to push for change. It aims to disrupt the ordinary functioning of unjust systems in a peaceful way, drawing broad public attention and moral pressure to compel leaders to respond. This approach was a hallmark of the Civil Rights Movement, with sit-ins, marches, boycotts, and demonstrations showing how coordinated, nonviolent action can create momentum for policy and social change. It stands apart from armed insurrection, which uses violence; from legalistic litigation, which relies on court rulings rather than direct public pressure; and from a simple economic boycott without protests, which lacks the mobilized mass action that amplifies impact. The term best captures the combination of nonviolence and organized, wide-scale action that historically spurred civil rights advances.