Jordanhill School History Department
Martin Luther King Junior. What will I learn?
 Background of MLK
 His involvement in the Civil Rights Movement
Dr Martin Luther King was a
pastor/minister of a Baptist Church (a
vicar) in Montgomery Alabama. He first
came to prominence when he helped
lead the successful boycott of the
MONTGOMERY bus system in 1955.
Your Task
1. In pairs, use laptops to watch the
videos (links are below) regarding
Martin Luther King and his role in the
Civil Rights Movement.
2. Once you have finished watching the
video, answer the questions for each in
as much detail as you can.
3. For each new video take a new heading
Montgomery Bus Boycott
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/montgomery-busboycott/3905.html
1. Explain why the Montgomery bus boycott was an important event for
MLK.
Martin Luther King’s beliefs
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/martin-luther-king-explains-hisnon-violent-methods-of-protest/5197.html
1. Explain MLK’s views on Non-violent protest.
2. What is the greatness of Non-violence according to MLK?
Segregation
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Jordanhill School History Department
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/martin-luther-king-describes-theworkings-of-segregation-in-the-southern-usa/5587.html
1. Where was MLK raised?
2. What evidence of segregation is there in this interview?
In 1963 Martin Luther King led a march in Birmingham Alabama to end
segregation. The year before the council in Birmingham had closed all public
recreational facilities, like parks and swimming baths to black people. 30,000,
mostly black Americans took part in sit-ins in these facilities. 500 protesters
were arrested and the Police Commissioner, Eugene ‘Bull’ Connor used water
cannons, dogs and baton charges on the peaceful protesters. These events were
televised and helped turn public opinion against racists like Connor. He had done
the opposite of what he intended by helping the cause of civil Rights for black
people.
Birmingham, Alabama
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/birmingham-alabama/3911.html
1. How is MLK described?
2. Describe the events in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/desegregation-in-birminghamalabama-1963/5230.html
1. How does MLK describe Birmingham?
2. Explain the justification MLK uses for involving school children in the
protests?
3. Describe the phrase a ‘1st amendment privilege’?
“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia sons of former slaves
and sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of
brotherhood…I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a
nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content
of their character.
Part of King’s famous ‘I have a dream’ speech.”
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Jordanhill School History Department
March on Washington
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/march-on-washington1963/3915.html
1. What was the March on Washington arranged to do?
2. Was the March a success? Explain your answer.
Selma, Alabama
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/campaigning-for-voting-rights-inselma-alabama-1965/5241.html
1. Explain what people were campaigning for in Selma.
2. Explain why so many members of the clergy visitedSelma from all over the
USA.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/selma-to-montgomerymarch/3919.html
1. Describe the first march from Selma.
2. What does the federal government force the state troopers to do?
3. Describe, in detail, what happened to the marches as a result.
Storyboard Task
Make a storyboard of MLK’s involvement in the Civil Rights
Movement.
Success Criteria: Detailed information, Chronological Order,
Colourful, neat and tidy, Pictures and text
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