Who played a pivotal role in coordinating youth-led campaigns during the civil rights movement?

The correct answer highlights the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) as a central force in organizing youth-led campaigns during the civil rights movement. Established in 1960, SNCC was primarily composed of young activists, many of whom were college students, who played a crucial role in grassroots activism. They organized significant events such as sit-ins, freedom rides, and voter registration drives, all of which were instrumental in challenging racial segregation and promoting civil rights.

The youth-centric focus of SNCC set it apart from other organizations; while the NAACP, SCLC, and CORE also contributed significantly to the civil rights movement, their approaches differed. The NAACP primarily used legal strategies to challenge segregation and discrimination. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., was more focused on large-scale, nonviolent protests led by established church leaders. The Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) was involved in direct action but did not exclusively center on youth mobilization.

SNCC’s emphasis on the involvement of young people energizing their peers created a powerful force behind the movement, enabling innovative tactics and fostering a sense of empowerment among youth in the struggle for civil rights.