In Oakland, California in 1966 Huey Newton and Bobby Seale founded what militant organization which called upon blacks to arm themselves for a confrontation against their white oppressors?

In October 1966, college students Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale founded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense in Oakland, California. This militant organization emerged during a period of significant racial unrest and civil rights activism, advocating for Black empowerment and social justice. The Panthers' initial focus was to challenge the excessive force and misconduct of the Oakland Police Department, openly carrying firearms while monitoring police activity in Black neighborhoods. They asserted the constitutional right of Black people to bear arms for self-defense against police brutality, a stance inspired by figures like Malcolm X.

Beyond armed self-defense, the Black Panther Party developed a comprehensive Ten-Point Program that outlined their revolutionary goals. This program called for freedom, full employment, decent housing, and an end to police brutality and murder of Black people. They also demanded an education system that taught the true history of Black people and their role in society, and exemption for Black men from military service. These demands reflected their broader ideology of Black nationalism, Marxism-Leninism, and revolutionary socialism.

The Black Panthers also became widely known for their extensive community "survival programs," which aimed to address the immediate needs of Black communities. The most famous of these was the Free Breakfast for Children Program, which fed thousands of children daily. Other initiatives included free medical clinics, clothing distribution, and transportation to prisons for family members. These programs not only provided essential services but also served to build a political base and foster a sense of self-determination within the Black community, demonstrating the party's commitment to improving the lives of Black people beyond armed resistance.