History The Civil Rights Movement Questions
Some key moments of violence and resistance during the Civil Rights Movement include:
1. Montgomery Bus Boycott (1955-1956): This nonviolent protest was sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat to a white passenger. It led to a year-long boycott of the city's bus system and marked a significant moment in the movement.
2. Little Rock Nine (1957): Nine African American students were initially prevented from entering Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas by the National Guard, under orders from the governor. This event highlighted the resistance to desegregation and the need for federal intervention.
3. Birmingham Campaign (1963): This nonviolent protest led by Martin Luther King Jr. aimed to end segregation in one of the most racially divided cities in the United States. The campaign faced violent opposition, including the use of police dogs and fire hoses against protesters.
4. Freedom Rides (1961): Activists, both black and white, rode interstate buses through the South to challenge segregated bus terminals. They faced violent attacks from white supremacists, including bombings and mob violence.
5. Selma to Montgomery March (1965): This march for voting rights was met with brutal violence by state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. The event, known as "Bloody Sunday," drew national attention and ultimately led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
These key moments of violence and resistance highlight the challenges and sacrifices made by civil rights activists in their fight for equality and justice.