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The March from Selma to Montgomery: A Pivotal Moment in the Civil Rights Movement

Rex Hayes

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Published in The March From Selma To Montgomery (Lucent Library Of Black History)

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The March from Selma to Montgomery (Lucent Library of Black History)

by Michael V. Uschan

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Language	:	English
File size	:	2652 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	128 pages
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The March from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965 was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. It was a peaceful protest march organized by civil rights leaders to demand voting rights for African Americans. The marchers faced violence and brutality from local law enforcement, but they persevered and eventually reached their destination. The march was a success, and it helped to lead to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Background to the March

The March from Selma to Montgomery took place against the backdrop of a long history of racial discrimination in the United States. African Americans had been denied the right to vote in the South for decades, and they were often subjected to violence and intimidation. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act was passed, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. However, many Southern states continued to resist desegregation, and they found ways to prevent African Americans from registering to vote.

In 1965, civil rights leaders decided to organize a march from Selma to Montgomery to demand voting rights for African Americans. Selma was a small town in Alabama with a large African American population. It was also a major center of the Civil Rights Movement. Montgomery was the capital of Alabama, and it was the seat of state government.

The March

The March from Selma to Montgomery began on March 7, 1965. Over 600 marchers set out from Selma, including civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, and Ralph Abernathy. The marchers walked 54 miles over two days, and they were met with violence and brutality from local law enforcement.

On the first day of the march, the marchers were attacked by state troopers as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge. The troopers used tear gas and clubs to beat the marchers, and they arrested over 50 people. The marchers were forced to turn back, but they refused to give up.

The next day, the marchers set out again, this time with the protection of federal troops. They were able to reach Montgomery without incident, and they held a rally at the state capitol. The rally was attended by over 25,000 people, and it was a major turning point in the Civil Rights Movement.

The Impact of the March

The March from Selma to Montgomery was a success, and it helped to lead to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Voting Rights Act outlawed discrimination in voting, and it helped to increase voter turnout among African Americans. The march also helped to raise awareness of the Civil Rights Movement, and it inspired people all over the world to fight for justice.

The March from Selma to Montgomery was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. It was a peaceful protest march that helped to achieve a major victory for civil rights. The march is a reminder of the power of nonviolent resistance, and it continues to inspire people today.