export_how important was martin luther king in the fight for civil rights in the usa Flashcards
Martin Luther King’s Role as Protest Organiser
He helped to organise the non-violent Montgomery Bus Boycott.
This made him a national figure in the civil rights movement, leading towards his famous ‘I have a dream’ speech in August 1963.
Exam Tip
It is important that you try to put Martin Luther King’s achievements in the context of what was happening at the time. There were other leaders and groups promoting social change. King was no the only leader - but he gained the most attention, and was recognised bot just within the USA, but in the rest of the world.
The Civil Rights Act, 1964
The Act was passed in July 1964
It meant that racial discrimination was outlawed in employment, entertainment, and government agencies.
Schools had to be desegregated if they were to receive any public funding.
Only private clubs and other private organisations could be ‘whites only’.
An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was set up to investigate complaints.
Race Riots, 1965
Martin Luther King organised marches in areas that had the worst record for continuing racial discrimination. He was concerned to get voting rights for all African Americas, but only 2.4% of those in Selma, Alabama were registered to vote. Marches from Selma to Montgomery were stopped brutally by the police with the use of tear gas and whips.
Northern Inequality
1965 - 50% of African Americans lived in the Northern States. Many suffered slum housing, high unemployment, poorly-paid jobs, poor education and much ill-health. African American babies were twice as likely to die as white babies. Local government and police were under white control.
Chicago Riots, 1966
Riots in Chicago occurred after Martin Luther King had tried to help African Americans get better treatment from the city government. King was no longer able to control situations and persuade African Americans to be patient and non-violent.
1967 Race Riots
There were many riots across northern cities.
83 people died, mostly African Americans
Large areas, such as Detroit, were looted and burned
President Johnson set up a commission to investigate the causes. The report blamed white racist attitudes causing anger in African American communities. White Americans still tended to put the blame on African American ‘lawlessness’ and demanded tougher penalties.
Support for Martin Luther King by 1968
Martin Luther King had become a controversial figure. Many citizens, both African American and white, regarded him as a hero in the struggle for civil rights. Some people had ceased to support him because they believed faster progress would be made by using violent methods. Others criticised him for opposing the Vietnam War. The Government saw him as a troublemaker, and his telephone conversations were tapped by the FBI.
Assassination of Martin Luther King
March 1968 - King was invited to Memphis, Tennessee, to support a strike by African American refuse collectors. He led a march that turned into violence, and he returned home to Atlanta.
April 1968 - King returned to Memphis to give a speech (given 3 April 1968)
The day after his speech, King was assassinated by James Earl Ray, a white American. This led to another outbreak of race riots as King’s supporters accused white Americans of murdering their leader.
Who was James Earl Ray?
James Early Ray was a white American who assassinated Martin Luther King
