What document did Martin Luther King Jr. write while incarcerated in Birmingham?

Study for the APUSH Period 8 – Cold War and Civil Rights Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions. Hone your knowledge in Cold War dynamics and civil rights movements. Excel in your exam!

Martin Luther King Jr. wrote the "Letter from Birmingham Jail" while he was imprisoned for participating in nonviolent protests against racial segregation in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. This letter is a crucial document of the Civil Rights Movement, articulating King's philosophy of nonviolent resistance and the necessity of taking direct action to combat injustice. In his letter, King responds to criticisms from local clergymen who labeled his activities as "unwise and untimely." He argues that individuals have a moral duty to disobey unjust laws and that waiting for justice often means never achieving it. The "Letter from Birmingham Jail" has since become a foundational text, demonstrating the intertwining of faith, ethics, and social activism, and effectively communicating the urgent need for civil rights.

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