The Montgomery Bus Boycott

1
The Montgomery Bus Boycott

• September 8, 2005

2
Setting for the Boycott

• Occurred in Montgomery, Alabama 1955
• Racism and segregation were causing tensions to
  grow further between blacks and whites during
  this period
• Followed Brown Decision of 1954 that stated
  separate schools for separate races was
  inherently unequal
• Helped lay foundation for Civil Rights Movement

3
Unfair Transportation Practices

• Black passengers filled bus from back
• Driving staff abused black passengers verbally
  physically
• Blacks were last to leave the bus

4
Taking Action

• Rosa Parks, member of NAACP, refused to give up
  her seat to a white passenger
• Martin Luther King Jr. led 381 day boycott of
  Montgomery buses
• Black community formed network of carpools and
  informal taxi services
• Community leaders organized group called
  Montgomery Improvement Association

5
Outcome of the Boycott

• Ended December 21, 1956
• U.S. Supreme Court ruled segregated bus system
  was unconstitutional
• Violence still continued
• Boycott marked success for African Americans and
  King at a national level
• Non-violent resistance

6
Important Contributions

• The boycott wasnt all Rosa Parks
• Jo Ann Robinson and Womens Political Council
  promoted voter registration and activism among
  women
• Everyday working people made huge sacrifices

7
Works Cited

• http//pbsvideodb.pbs.org/resources/eyes/primary/d
  oc8.html
• http//www.alabamamoments.state.al.us/sec55.html
• The Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Advancement
  of Social Justice Seeking The Beloved
  Community. The Journal of African American
  History, 2004, Vol. 89, pg404.