How significant was Martin Luther King Jnr to the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

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How significant was Martin Luther King Jnr to the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?

I do not doubt that Martin Luther King Jnr played a vital role in the success of the Montgomery bus boycott; however I do not think that he should be the only individual to be credited for its phenomenal achievement.

Most crucially without King as a leader the Boycotters would have had no source of inspiration, they would have become disorganised with no one to assert authority, and therefore become less of a threat to the bus companies and officials meaning that their cause would not have been taken so seriously. Also many people would have given up more easily without, the leadership that King provided, as many felt that Non-violent protest would not be recognised or rewarded.

Martin Luther King was elected by the Montgomery Improvement Association (MIA) to be their president. Which is important because the fact that other influential people like E. Dixon, Ralph Abanathy, and H. Hubbard believed he was significant and could make a difference reassured black citizens and enhanced his status, giving him vital publicity for the Boycott’s cause.

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Because of his doctorate in philosophy and his eloquent speech and manner, white officials and members of government authority were more likely to listen to him even though they may not sympathise. One significant point to note about King is that he was a complete contrast to the stereotype that whites had made of blacks. He was educated, well mannered and well spoken, clean looking, and most importantly non-violent in his quest for Civil Rights. This was ironic because the excuse that most white bureaucrats, used against blacks was that they were ignorant, foul-mouthed, ruffians and vagabonds, who were ...

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