The Montgomery Bus Boycott between 1966 and 1956 can be considered the key turning point that led to the advancement of civil rights in Africa-Americans from 1865 until 1992. A period is considered to have been a turning factor if it brings about social, economic and political change. Through the desegregation and widespread change that it brought, the Montgomery Bus Boycott promised more equality for African-Americans. To assess its significance, it is helpful to compare the Montgomery Bus Boycott to other turning points. Reconstruction Era was also a turning moment for African-Americans, who gained more freedoms and had better opportunities. Brown vs. Board is also a pivotal case because it set a precedent in legal matters. These three periods didn’t bring about any of the above mentioned changes. The Montgomery Bus Boycott, which occurred between 1865 and 1992, was, therefore, the pivotal turning point in the history of African-American civil liberties.

Although the Montgomery Bus Boycott wasn’t the first direct action protest, it was one of the most successful in achieving social, political and economical change. The success allowed for momentum to continue winning in the 1960s. Montgomery Bus Boycott won the support of almost all black people. It allowed them to take part in an event that was both challenging and safe, thus making it widespread. The Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted less than a year, from the 1st of December 1966 to 20th of December 1956. It was also a significant leader in desegregation. This was the moment when African Americans proved they could organize a protest and work together with white Americans. The boycott created financial pressure for the authorities, which initially unwisely refused to make any concessions. A NAACP initiative resulted in the Supreme Court’s Brower V. Gayle giving another favorable verdict in November 1956. The Supreme Court in Brower V. Gayle ruled segregation by buses unconstitutional, using similar reasoning as the Linda Brown decision. The tent of segregation is now a hole. In addition, the Montgomery Bus Boycott highlighted Martin Luther King as a key black activist. This made it an important political rally and a significant demonstration of how effective the change was. Although the Montgomery Bus Boycott didn’t bring about any social change, there were some who suggested that it did. This was because the attitudes of white Americans towards African Americans remained the same. However, they became more aware of the unity and strength of Black Americans. Furthermore, although this event did indeed change the Federal Government’s views as it demonstrated that a united black community could achieve great power. This gave rise to civil rights movements and helped them gain the awareness they needed. The Emancipation Proclamation ensured the freedom and permanent end of slavery. The 13th,14th and fifteenth amendments offered additional political rights to African-Americans and brought about long-lasting change. The end of Reconstruction and sharecropping meant that the gains in the economic and social status of blacks did not last. The period 1865-1877 saw some lasting changes, but not in the contexts of political rights. World War Two brought about more economic and social change but not as long-lasting. The wartime economic boom provided more opportunities for African-Americans to prosper, particularly in the North. Unfortunately, white soldiers returning from war caused renewed racial hostility. They found their jobs were being occupied by African-American workers. Johnson’s presidency, in contrast to the two preceding periods, brought about long-lasting and lasting changes that improved African Americans’ social status and their access rights to politics. The 1964 Civil Rights Act ended de jure segregation in America. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was passed. This year, African-Americans finally had the right of vote, 100 years after the end of slavery. This was a significant turning point. However, any rights that African Americans received after the Reconstruction Era ended in 1877 were reversed. The creation of black codes led to segregation being legalized in the South. White supremacists groups, such as the KKK, continued to discriminate under the emergency. The Montgomery Bus Boycott proved to be a more important turning point, as it established a precedent and led to significant change. However, the KKK and other white supremacists groups continued to discriminate with the emergency of the KKK.

The 1954 Linda Brown supreme case before the Supreme Court was a major turning point both politically and legally. It set a precedent in law and was expected that it would lead to major changes. It succeeded in several places other than the Deep South. Although the change was swift, less then 12% of southern school districts had become integrated by 1957. The whole idea of integration through the use of the states’ rights argument was met with resistance from the south. In seeking to impose its views and values on others of different stats, the federal government was perceived as being dictatorial. The Brown decision was not a significant landmark, but it had an important impact. Independent judiciary proved that they were able to resolve political issues regarding positive action in civil rights cases. The Warren Court ended the Plessy V. Ferguson precedent’s vice-like grip on black and white relations. The Warren Court went beyond merely attacking inequalities and emphasized the psychological need to integrate the block minority. This was a significant change. It also gave southern blacks a belief system that the Constitution and American political social systems are the best. While this change might have changed attitudes and mind-sets in some people, it was not easy to implement. This is similar to the Montgomery Bus Boycott and Reconstruction. This case was a huge success. It was also difficult to determine when desegregation should occur, other than “all deliberate speed”. The Court could have made a stronger effort to enforce its original verdict, which would have accelerated the Civil Rights process. The Montgomery Bus Boycott, which was more important than the Brown Case in changing attitudes among white Americans, was an important turning point. It emphasized the unity of Black Americans and their power.

As you can see, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, 1966-1956, was the catalyst for significant and lasting change. In addition to bringing about revolutionary changes, it also created political, social, and economic change. It is therefore considered to be the pivotal moment in the evolution of African-American civil liberties from 1865 through 1992. While the Reconstruction Era was also a catalyst for significant and radical change through federal actions, constitutional amendments and other legislative changes, it did not bring about widespread change and some groups in African American society did not benefit. This was however more important than Brown Vs. Board. Although it had the potential to improve the economic and social standing of African-Americans, it can be argued that the change itself was too slow. The demonstration of African Americans’ immense power was what made the Montgomery Bus Boycott the pivotal turning point in civil and human rights 1865-1992.

michaellang

Michael Lang is a 33-year-old professor and blogger who is passionate about writing. He has been blogging for over 7 years and has written for various online publications. Michael is also a seasoned professor who has taught at the college level for over a decade. He is currently a professor of English at a community college in the Midwest.