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.