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Civil War: The Montgomery Bus Boycott and Its Grassroots Origins

By autumnlawson

  • 1940s–1950s: Early Organizing in Montgomery

    During the 1940s and 1950s, grassroots groups such as the Montgomery NAACP and the Women’s Political Council (WPC) started organizing efforts against segregation, especially regarding public transit. Jo Ann Robinson and the WPC advocate for reforms in the segregated bus system.
    In March 1955, Claudette Colvin was taken into custody for refusing to surrender her seat on a bus, indicating upcoming protests.

  • Rosa Park's Arrest

    On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, an NAACP member, was taken into custody for not relinquishing her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus. The arrest of Parks ignites the Montgomery Bus Boycott, serving as the impetus for the protest.

  • Formation of the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA)

    On December 5, 1955, the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) was formed to manage the boycott. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is chosen as president of the MIA, guiding the boycott efforts. The MIA sets up carpools, alternative transportation options, and channels for communication for the protest.

  • The Boycott Begins

    December 5, 1955: The Montgomery Bus Boycott starts officially, as African Americans in Montgomery choose not to ride the segregated buses. Support from local Black churches, businesses, and community organizations is provided for the boycott, offering financial help and organizing carpools.

  • Legal and National Attention

    February 1956: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and several leaders of the MIA were charged for their involvement in the boycott, attracting national scrutiny to the protest. Judicial challenges and media reporting raise significant awareness about the boycott and the matter of segregation.

  • Browder v. Gayle Court Decision

    On June 5, 1956, the Browder v. Gayle case led to a ruling that found segregation on buses in Montgomery to be unconstitutional. This legal triumph strengthens the objectives of the boycott and establishes a precedent for contesting segregation throughout the South.

  • End of the Boycott and Desegregation

    December 20, 1956: The Montgomery Bus Boycott concludes after 381 days, resulting in the desegregation of the city's bus system. This triumph represents an important milestone for the Civil Rights Movement.
    Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as a prominent national leader, and the success of the boycott motivated future civil rights initiatives.