What event sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955?

• A. The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
• B. The arrest of Rosa Parks
• C. The March on Washington
• D. The desegregation of schools

Answer: (B)

The Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 was sparked by the arrest of Rosa Parks, who famously refused to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her act of civil disobedience became a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. This incident highlighted the severe injustices of racial segregation and galvanized the African American community in Montgomery and beyond to take action against discriminatory practices.

Parks' arrest provided a clear focal point for the growing frustration among African Americans regarding unequal treatment and segregation. Her courageous stance resonated deeply with the community, leading to a coordinated response that resulted in the boycott of the city's bus system. This event not only propelled Martin Luther King Jr. to national prominence as a leader of the civil rights movement but also established a powerful example of nonviolent resistance, which would influence civil rights activism in the years to come.