What event sparked the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States?

The Montgomery Bus Boycott is often regarded as a pivotal event that ignited the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. It began in December 1955 when Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger on a city bus in Montgomery, Alabama. This act of defiance became a catalyst for the African American community to unite in protest against the unjust practice of racial segregation on public transportation.

In response to Parks' arrest, civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., organized the boycott, which lasted for over a year and involved the African American community refusing to use the city buses. The boycott not only highlighted the systemic racism and inequality faced by African Americans but also demonstrated the power of collective action and nonviolent resistance.

The success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which resulted in a Supreme Court ruling that deemed segregation on public buses unconstitutional, marked the beginning of a more organized and widespread movement for civil rights. This event laid the groundwork for subsequent activism, including the formation of key civil rights organizations and the planning of large-scale demonstrations throughout the 1960s. Consequently, the Montgomery Bus Boycott is seen as a significant catalyst that spurred the national Civil Rights Movement, inspiring efforts to challenge and change