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How did the Montgomery bus boycott help the African American's struggle for civil

rights?
The boycott helped many blacks start businesses in Montgomery.
The boycott showed that civil rights for African Americans could be easily won.
The Alabama legislature began to pass laws that quickly desegregated Alabama
society.
The Supreme Court struck down Alabama's requirement of segregation on
buses.

User Nesdis
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2 Answers

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14 votes

Final answer:

The Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal episode in the Civil Rights Movement, showcased the power of nonviolent resistance and unity, eventually leading to the Supreme Court ruling segregation on buses unconstitutional.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a seminal event in the Civil Rights Movement that highlighted the efficacy of nonviolent protest and unity within the African American community. Initiated after Rosa Parks' arrest for refusing to give up her seat to a white person, the boycott began on December 5, 1955, and lasted 381 days. During this time, African American residents of Montgomery, including leaders like Martin Luther King, Jr., avoided using the buses, turning to carpools, reduced taxi fares, and walking to express their opposition to segregation.

The boycott led to significant economic pressure on the Montgomery public transit system, as black patrons represented a large portion of bus riders. This unity and sustained pressure culminated in the Supreme Court's decision in Browder v. Gayle, which declared that segregated buses were unconstitutional, thereby striking down Alabama's requirement of segregation on buses. This legal victory marked a crucial point in the struggle for civil rights, demonstrating the power of collective action and setting a precedent for future civil rights activism.

User Clyne
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Literally hit them where it hurt: their pocket.

About 80% of bus users were African Americans and they encouraged each other to boycott buses. Through their combined effort and shared hardships (walked longer distances and carpooled) they eventually achieved some civil rights: the Supreme Court ruled that segregation on buses was “unconstitutional”.

This shows that civil rights could be attained through boycotts.
User John Garreth
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