Who was the major civil rights leader during the 1960s?

Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as the preeminent leader of the civil rights movement during the 1960s, known for his advocacy of nonviolent resistance and his emphasis on racial equality and social justice. His leadership was crucial during significant events, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the March on Washington, where he delivered his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, and the Selma to Montgomery marches.

King's approach was rooted in the philosophy of nonviolence inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, which resonated with a broad audience and drew substantial support from various segments of society, including churches and civil rights organizations. He founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which coordinated nonviolent protests and was instrumental in mobilizing African Americans and allies in the struggle for civil rights.

The other figures in the question played significant roles in the civil rights movement but in different capacities or with different focuses. For instance, Malcolm X's approach was often more militant, advocating for Black empowerment and sometimes separation rather than integration. Rosa Parks is best known for her pivotal role in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was a significant event but not the leader of the movement overall. Thurgood Marshall, while a key figure as the first African American Supreme Court