Final answer:
The failure of nonviolence in Albany had short-term effects of diminishing media attention and national support for the civil rights cause, as there was no overt violence to capture the public's attention. Local white leaders exploited this by handling local activists harshly out of the spotlight. This eventually informed future civil rights strategies that led to the successful campaigns in other cities like Birmingham.
Step-by-step explanation:
Short-term Effects of the Failure of Non-Violence in Albany
The Albany Movement demonstrated the struggles and limitations of nonviolent protests when not met with overt violence. Without the sensationalism of violence for media attention, local activists faced greater difficulties in effectuating change. Bystanders, including Northerners who were opposed to segregation but unmoved by nonviolent protests, were not compelled to support the cause when violent repression was not visible. This led to a more complex fight for civil rights, with white leaders learning to defeat nonviolence with their own form of nonviolence. These tactics effectively silenced the positive media coverage that was vital in garnering national support.
Another consequence of this situation was the enforced exile of Martin Luther King Jr. from the jail, which left the local protesters without their prominent leader. This, in turn, emboldened white leaders to deal with local activists harshly once the media's eyes were turned away. Moreover, this failure prompted civil rights leaders and activists to innovate and adapt their strategies. It highlighted the need for persistent and varied forms of protest to maintain national attention and pressure for ending racial segregation and achieving civil rights.
Eventually, the failure of the Albany strategy led to the realization that without the wider public being made fully aware of the injustices being faced, progress towards civil rights would be extremely slow. This understanding played a significant role in shaping future strategies of the Civil Rights Movement, including those applied in Birmingham, which more successfully captivated the nation's attention and support.