What ideology did the Black Panthers primarily promote?

The Black Panthers primarily promoted the ideology of self-defense and armed resistance. Founded in 1966, the Black Panther Party aimed to address systemic racism, police brutality, and economic inequality faced by African Americans. They believed that self-defense was a necessary response to the violent oppression experienced by their communities, particularly at the hands of law enforcement.

The party’s core principles included the right to bear arms and to protect themselves against police violence, which led to their formation of armed patrols that monitored police activity in African American neighborhoods. This philosophy of self-defense was rooted in a broader context of the civil rights movement, which was increasingly radicalizing in response to ongoing violence and discrimination.

The Black Panthers also advocated for social programs such as free breakfasts for children and health clinics, demonstrating that their approach was multifaceted and included community uplift alongside armed resistance. This ideology differed significantly from other civil rights movements of the time that emphasized integration and cooperation with government entities or relied heavily on nonviolent protests.