History. The Montgomery Bus Boycott

What was the bus boycott ? Give me a date. Where did it all start? What happened?

• 1 December 1955

• African American seamstress Rosa Parks

• She reject to let a white passenger to sit down

• Parks was arrested

• Edgar Daniel Nixon (Parks friend) pay her bail, contact other African American leaders: Revered Marting Luther King and Ralph Abernathy

Who organized the boycott? What was important to the leaders in the boycott?

• 5 December: Jo-Ann Robinson (leader of the Woman’s Political Committee) organised bus boycott for Monday 5 December 1955

• In order to prevent violence, 2 December Nixon, Abernathy, King - call a meeting in King’s church. They agree to support the boycott using non-violent methods

What was this massage? How did the first ride of the boycott go?

• Their massage- was one of non-co-operation with the bus company (they walk, drive, use any other form of transport rather than use segregated buses)

• Monday 5, 1955 - firs bus was empty. All A. A walked, drove private cars to work. By evening the bus boycott had revived almost 100% support

• 5 December 1955 - Parks trial, fined her $14. Nixon called for an appeal - legal battle began

How did Martin Luther king emerge as leader of the Boycott? Why did he become a leader? What was the name given to the boycott group?

Montgomery Improvement Association was created.

King - leader

Good orathor, calm demeanor, unknown status in Montgomery, no enemy in Montgomery

What did King ask those who would participate in the boycott to do? What was MIA demand?

• He ask participants use non violent Cristian principles.

• MIA demand: black must be treated with courtesy by bus drivers; Sergei on the bus must end; black driver must be employed on the bus

What did they do to win? What methods were used (legally and physically?)

In order to win, MIA combine the legal action of the NAACP with peaceful protest

Describe King, who was he, what was his job?

• King: young, energetic and a brilliant public speaker. Popular minister at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Crurch

What did MIA do to keep African Americans from riding segregated buses? When did this come into effect?

They plan strategy set up a Tranportation Committee, to organise alternative transport for African American

8 December - representatives of the new bus company

Was the boycott recognized outside the state? Was it popular?

• Boycott receiving widespread, national media attention

What was white reaction?

• Psychological pressure (rumours), Example: king and his wife both have a car

• False media report : city authorities announced that the boycott was over

• Police harassment: if white giving lift to African American = arrest. King arrest for speeding

• Violence and intimidation. What was going on?

• The Ku Klux Klan was active: attacking African American, attached churches, king home was bombed

When did the boycott end? Give the date and how many days did the boycott last?

21 December - boycott is over (381 days)

What was result of Boycott?

• It cost MIA $225,000 (for transport and other expansive)

• Bus company $250,000 in lost  revenue

• Business lost millions of dollars

• City lost thousands of dollars in tax earning

• The human cost was high

• African American suffered intimidation and violence

• The ending of boycott did not bring an end to white opposition

• The violence continued (KKK was active , whites fired into buses

• African Americans we’re slow to change their habits (continue sit at the back)

Why was the boycott important for the civil rights movement?

• First organised mass movement of African American in the 20 century

• It was succeeded I ending segregation in Alabama

• Proved that direct non-violent action could work in modern-day America

• Inspired hope for change among African American

• It focused the attention of the national on the issue of civil rights and provide a model of protest

• Opportunities white liberals and supporters of civil rights work with African Americans

• It give King and other leaders a national platform and chance to display their leadership skill in mobilising a successful campaign. King’s roads to fame began in Montgomery

• Led to a new sense of pride in the African Americans community throughout the USA

• Highlighted the central role of the churches and of Christian values