20.1.6

Martin Luther King Jr.

Test yourself

Martin Luther King Jr.

During the Montgomery Bus Boycott, 90% of black people who used the bus stopped using them for 381 days in protest of segregation of the buses.

Illustrative background for The MIAIllustrative background for The MIA ?? "content

The MIA

  • The Montgomery Improvement Association was set up to improve lives of blacks and support the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
  • The MIA set up a car pool system to give lifts and used publicity to gain support.
  • Martin Luther King became the leader of MIA as a respected, educated and peaceful clergyman.
Illustrative background for Opposition to the MIAIllustrative background for Opposition to the MIA ?? "content

Opposition to the MIA

  • They faced strong opposition from racist organisations like the White Citizens' Council (WCC) and Ku Klux Klan (KKK).
  • Many boycotters were arrested and Martin Luther King’s house and various churches were bombed.
Illustrative background for Arrests of MIA membersIllustrative background for Arrests of MIA members ?? "content

Arrests of MIA members

  • 89 members of the MIA were arrested in February 1956 and put on trial, where they spoke about the abuses committed by white drivers, even murder.
  • King had to pay a $500 fine.
  • This violent opposition to peaceful protest gained sympathy for the boycott.
Illustrative background for Supreme CourtIllustrative background for Supreme Court ?? "content

Supreme Court

  • The boycott ended when the NAACP went to the Supreme Court with Browder v. Gayle claiming that bus segregation broke the 14th amendment.
  • The MIA met and also began to demand desegregation.
  • After two appeals, the Supreme Court upheld its decision to desegregate the buses in Montgomery.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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