Birmingham protests/Bull Connor (apr 3, 1963 – may 10, 1963)
Description:
What is it? In 1963, series of non violent protests occurred in the city of Birmingham, led by Martin Luther King Jr, Fred Shuttlesworth, and James Bevel. Birmingham was considered to be one of the most racially divided cities in the USA, Dr. King claimed it to be the most segregated city in the country. Shuttlesworth started the protests with a boycott meant to pressure business owners to employ people from any race. James Bevel trained and inspired students to take a protest from the 16th Street Baptist Church to City Hall. This is where Bull Connor used attack dogs and high pressured hoses on school children, which was extremely controversial. Overall though, the Birmingham protests were successful as it brought the world’s attention to the racism in the South, forced desegregation, made Bull Connor lose his job, and showed the world a perfect model of a non violent direct action protest.
Who was Involved? Martin Luther King Jr, Fred Shuttlesworth, and James Bevel, Bull Connor, School Children
Where did it happen? Birmingham, Alabama
Major Cause: The large amount of racial divide and segregation in Birmingham motivated these leaders to organize a large scale protest to pursue desegregation
Major Effect: The Birmingham protests were successful as it brought the world’s attention to the racism in the South, forced desegregation, made Bull Connor lose his job, and showed the world a perfect model of a non violent direct action protest.
Added to timeline:
AP GOV Varun Nair
Date:
