How did Rosa Park's refusal to stand up contribute to the civil rights movement?
http://www.jiskha.com/display.cgi?id=1391286379
This post doesn't clearly state an answer.
That's because YOU need to write your own answer.
Consider what you have already written in answer to that question. How will you revise it?
I am confused, though. In my literature textbook, it states that "this incident sparked a boycott that led to the end of segregation on the Montgomery bus system. Her courageous action marked the start of the civil rights movement." However, when I asked you, you said that I was incorrrect.
Did you read through the timeline in that link I gave you? Dr King and others were active well before the Montgomery bus boycott, but I think the bus boycott got the biggest news coverage because it lasted for a full year or so. Be sure to read through the 1955 and 1956 items in that timeline. Then let me know how you plan to rephrase your response.
PS - I don't think it needs very much rephrasing, but it does need clarifying.
We could say the civil rights movement started at the end of the Civil War. However, the modern Civil Rights movement began with the Supreme Court ruling against school segregation in 1954. Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on the bus the following year.
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/aaworld/timeline/civil_01.html
I
Rosa Parks' refusal to stand up on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, on December 1, 1955, was a crucial moment in the civil rights movement. Her act of defiance galvanized the African American community and sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal event in the fight against racial segregation. Here's how her refusal to stand up contributed to the civil rights movement:
1. Symbol of resistance: Rosa Parks' act became emblematic of the struggles and resistance against racial inequality and discrimination. By refusing to give up her seat, she challenged the unjust Jim Crow laws and highlighted the daily indignities faced by African Americans.
2. Montgomery Bus Boycott: Parks' arrest prompted local civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., to organize the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This movement lasted for 381 days, during which African Americans boycotted the city buses, leading to a significant economic impact and drawing national attention. The successful boycott not only ended segregation on Montgomery's buses but also exposed the power and potential of nonviolent protest.
3. Legal impact: Rosa Parks' arrest and subsequent legal battle played a crucial role in challenging segregation laws. The case went to court, and in December 1956, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional, leading to the desegregation of public transportation across the nation.
4. Awareness and support: Parks' act drew widespread media attention, both nationally and internationally, bringing the issue of racial segregation to the forefront of public consciousness. Her courage and defiance garnered sympathy and support from people around the country, strengthening the momentum of the civil rights movement.
In summary, Rosa Parks' refusal to stand up on that bus was a catalyst for change. Her act sparked a major boycott, challenged discriminatory laws, and brought national attention to the struggle against racial segregation. Together with the efforts of many other civil rights activists, her act contributed significantly to the progress of the civil rights movement in the United States.