Civil Rights Pioneers: Martin Luther King Jr. and Emmeline Pankhurst

Martin Luther King Jr.

Economic Context

During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the USA faced economic hardship. People lost their jobs, struggled to afford food, and experienced widespread poverty.

Family and Career

Following in the footsteps of his grandfather and father, Martin Luther King Jr. became a church pastor.

Inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolent resistance in the fight for civil rights deeply inspired Martin Luther King Jr.

The Montgomery City Code and Rosa Parks

Montgomery City Code

Buses in Montgomery were segregated, with separate sections for white and black people. Black people were required to give up their seats to white people, even if it meant standing.

Rosa Parks' Act of Defiance

Rosa Parks was arrested and fined for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white man, in violation of the Montgomery City Code.

Montgomery Bus Boycott

In protest of Rosa Parks' arrest and the unjust segregation laws, black people in Montgomery boycotted the city's buses for 382 days. Despite facing verbal abuse and physical attacks, the boycott continued. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled the Montgomery City Code unconstitutional, leading to its abolishment.

The Ku Klux Klan and Authority's Response

The Ku Klux Klan, a racist group, targeted black people and their white supporters with violence. Shockingly, authorities often turned a blind eye to the Klan's actions and failed to hold them accountable.

The Fight for Civil Rights and its Consequences

Black people courageously fought for their rights through peaceful protests, including marches and speeches. However, they faced brutal consequences, including physical attacks and imprisonment.

The March on Washington and"I Have a Drea"

The March on Washington was a monumental event where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic"I Have a Drea" speech. This peaceful protest drew a crowd of 250,000 people.

Shifting Public Opinion

As the struggle for civil rights gained momentum, public opinion began to shift. People started to recognize the injustice of segregation.

Landmark Achievements in 1964

In 1964, the government passed a law outlawing discrimination in public places. That same year, Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his unwavering commitment to nonviolent resistance.

Assassination

Tragically, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968 on a hotel balcony in Memphis.

Legacy

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a national holiday in the USA, observed on the third Monday of January each year. People honor his legacy by engaging in community service and volunteering.

Emmeline Pankhurst

Upbringing and Values

Emmeline Pankhurst was raised in an environment shaped by traditional sexist values.

Education and Skills

Emmeline pursued studies in chemistry and bookkeeping, while also acquiring traditional feminine skills.

Early Advocacy for Women's Rights

Emmeline's early activism focused on securing voting rights for married women in local elections, a goal she successfully achieved.

Founding the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU)

Emmeline Pankhurst founded the WSPU, an organization dedicated to fighting for women's suffrage.

Escalation to Militancy

Frustrated by the lack of political progress, the WSPU adopted militant tactics in 1903. They believed that drastic measures were necessary to force politicians to address women's suffrage.

Militant Tactics and Consequences

Violent Resistance

The WSPU engaged in various forms of protest, including attacking politicians, vandalizing property, chaining themselves to railings, and undertaking hunger strikes in prison. These actions often resulted in imprisonment and brutal treatment.

Government Response to Public Pressure

As public concern grew over the treatment of suffragettes, the government began releasing ill women from prison to avoid potential deaths and further backlash.

World War I and the Suffrage Movement

During World War I, the suffragettes suspended their militant campaign to contribute to the war effort by taking on jobs traditionally held by men. In return, many were released from prison.

Partial Victory in 1918

In 1918, women over the age of 30 were granted the right to vote in England.

Parliamentary Aspirations

Despite her significant contributions to the suffrage movement, Emmeline Pankhurst's health problems prevented her from pursuing a career in Parliament.

Extra Information

Global Progress in Women's Suffrage

• New Zealand led the way in 1883, becoming the first country to grant women the right to vote.
• The UK followed suit in 1918, initially granting suffrage to women over 30.
• Spain extended voting rights to women in general elections for the first time in 1933.

Phases of the Suffragettes' Fight

1. Initial Militancy: Vandalizing property and attempting to burn down politicians' houses.
2. Hunger Strikes: Engaging in hunger strikes while imprisoned, enduring forced feeding by prison officers.
3. World War I: Suspending militant protests to support the war effort and taking on men's jobs.
4. Post-War Victory: Women over 30 gained the right to vote in 1918 after the war ended.