Martin Luther King Jr
By: Matt McCoy
Life of Martin Luther King
Martin Luther king was active from December, 1955 until April 4, 1968. He was an American pastor, activist, and leader in the African American civil rights . He is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent protests based on his Christian beliefs.
Martin Luther kings Impact on the Civil Rights Movement
Martin Luther King Jr. had enormous impact on the desegregation of the United States in the 1960's. He had arguable the largest impact of any civil rights leader of his time. King began his civil rights activities in 1955 when he protested Montgomery's segregated bus system. The protest was started after an African American bus passenger by the name of Rosa Parks was arrested after failing to give up her seat to a white passenger. After the arrest African Americans encouraged others to boycott the Montgomery bus system. They formed a secret group called the Montgomery Improvement Association and elected King there leader. The group chose to use the great weapon of protest to desegregate the Montgomery bus lines. The groups protest worked and soon the bus lines no longer had segregated rules and African Americans no longer boycott the buses.