History - Civil Rights (Bus Boycott)

• In what year did black people in Montgomery participate in a boycott?

  1956
• What was the purpose of the boycott in Montgomery?

  To protest against discrimination in bus services
• Who was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat?

  Rosa Parks
• What action did the Women's Political Council take after Rosa Parks' arrest?

  They organized a one-day bus boycott
• What percentage of black people stopped using the buses during the boycott?

  90%
• Why did campaigners believe the boycott was a powerful method?

  It united the community against discrimination
• What was the name of the group formed to continue the boycott?

  Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA)
• Why was Martin Luther King chosen as the leader of the MIA?

  He was respected and had no local ties
• What qualities made Martin Luther King an effective leader?

  He was educated, respected, and believed in non-violence
• What alternative transportation did the MIA arrange during the boycott?

  Car pools
• What challenges did the boycotters face?

  Violence and intimidation
• What happened to Martin Luther King's house during the boycott?

  It was bombed
• How much was Martin Luther King fined in February 1956?

  $500
• What was the significance of the arrests and violence faced by the boycotters?

  It gained them sympathetic publicity
• What court case did the NAACP begin in 1956?

  Browder v. Gayle
• What was the outcome of the Browder v. Gayle case?

  Buses were ordered to be desegregated
• When did the MIA stop the boycott?

  December 1956
• What change occurred in the bus companies after the boycott ended?

  They began integrated bus services
• What organization is abbreviated as NAACP?

  National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• What threats did campaigners face during the boycott?

  Violence, arrest, and job loss
• Why was the boycott important?

  • Demonstrated success of well-planned protests
  • Elevated Martin Luther King as a leader
  • Exposed extreme white racist responses
  • Showed effectiveness of non-violent direct action
• What was the outcome of the boycott in Montgomery?

  Desegregation of Montgomery's buses
• What continued after the boycott despite its success?

  Threats against black campaigners and churches
• What significant legislation was passed in 1957?

  Civil Rights Act
• What did the Civil Rights Act of 1957 allow the government to do?

  Prosecute states interfering with voting rights
• What tactic did Dixiecrats use to delay the Civil Rights Act?

  Filibuster in Congress
• How did President Eisenhower view the Civil Rights Act?

  He felt it forced change on people
• What new group was formed in 1957 to organize protests?

  SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference)
• What were the key features of the SCLC?

  • Protest against segregation
  • Use of non-violent direct action
  • Broad black and white membership
• What was the SCLC's first campaign focused on?

  Training for voter registration tests
• In which elections did the SCLC help prepare communities to vote?

  1958 and 1960 elections
• Who was the president of the SCLC?

  Martin Luther King
• What was the main goal of the SCLC?

  Organize church-based protests