Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King was an American pastor who played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Known in particular for his role in raising awareness of the racial problems in the United States and in the emancipation of African-Americans, King was a supporter of non-violence and made considerable progress towards a more equal America. In just 50 minutes, you will find out how his actions shaped events in his country for decades to come and understand his profound influence on the lives of black Americans.

This straightforward and informative book provides a thorough discussion of the key moments in King’s illustrious political career, including the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, the March on Washington and the creation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. It also features a full biography, a valuable introduction to the political, social and economic context and an evaluation of the impact of King’s activism, giving you all the essential information about this Nobel Peace Prize winner.

About Martin Luther King

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on 15 January 1929 in Atlanta to a middle-class family of pastors. He was always aware of the inequalities in the United States, attempting to match, or even surpass, his white classmates during his studies. He was extremely influenced by Gandhi, which is where his doctrine of non-violence originated. He became a pastor in a parish in Montgomery in 1954, which is where he led a year-long bus boycott after the arrest of Rosa Parks. He delivered his famous “I have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C. in August 1963. The Civil Rights Act was passed a year later.

This clear and accessible 45-page book is structured as follows:

• Introduction to Martin Luther King
• Biography of Martin Luther King
  • A family of pastors
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. and non-violent protest
• Political, social and economic context
  • “Separate but equal”: the origins of segregation
  • Advances in the defence of civil rights
• Highlights
  • The Montgomery Bus Boycotts: the start of a fight
  • The Southern Christian Leadership Conference
  • Failure in Albany (1961-1962)
  • Victory in Birmingham (1963)
  • The March on Washington (1963)
  • The spokesperson for black America (1964)
  • Declining influence
  • King’s assassination and the resulting riots
• Impact of King’s activism
  • Political and legislative consequences
  • Cultural impact
• Summary