How Did Martin Luther King Contribute To The Civil Rights Movement

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The civil rights movement was the ongoing fight for racial equality and justice in the United States, aiming to end segregation and discrimination. Lasting for 14 years, this movement had a huge impact on American history. Martin Luther King Jr. was the most influential leader of civil rights: he organized marches for freedom, contributed to overturning racist laws, and had one of the most impactful speeches in history. All of his achievements and contributions not only changed the trajectory of history but influenced others to fight with kindness rather than violence. The Montgomery Bus Boycotts of 1955 is one of Martin Luther King Jr's most known contributions, but most powerful because of the impact it had on the civil rights movement. The mass protests against the bus system of Montgomery, Alabama—the Montgomery Bus …show more content…

King's role became important as he and the Montgomery Improvement Association involvement in the movement desegregated buses. King organized carpools and funded those who were struggling due to the boycotts while also actively promoting the boycott to the public. Additionally, since King was already gaining attention due to his leadership and powerful words, the boycott started to receive national attention and gained support for the civil rights movement; putting pressure on the city to comply. The MIA and King were hugely involved in negotiations with the city as they often met with lawyers and city officials to argue that the city violated the fourteenth amendment, which would play out well in the court. Finally in 1956, the city ruled segregation on buses unconstitutional. Martin Luther King Jr's peaceful resistance and strong leadership helped the movement because he united a strong community and made them realize change was possible, his contributions made it possible for there to be a peaceful