Economic pressure

Definition

Economic pressure refers to the use of financial or economic strategies to influence behavior, encourage change, or achieve specific social and political objectives. This concept played a significant role in movements like the Montgomery Bus Boycott, where economic tactics were employed to challenge systemic racism and discrimination. By leveraging economic boycotts, activists aimed to impact the financial viability of businesses that upheld segregation, demonstrating the power of collective economic action in driving social change.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Montgomery Bus Boycott began in December 1955 and lasted for over a year, effectively crippling the financially important bus system in Montgomery, Alabama.
2. Economic pressure during the boycott was achieved by organizing African Americans to avoid using city buses, which were heavily reliant on their fares.
3. The boycott led to a significant decline in revenue for the bus company, highlighting the effectiveness of economic strategies in social movements.
4. This form of pressure demonstrated how collective action could lead to legal changes, as the Supreme Court eventually ruled that segregation on public buses was unconstitutional.
5. The success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott inspired similar economic pressure tactics across the country, becoming a blueprint for future civil rights activism.

Review Questions

• How did economic pressure contribute to the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
  • Economic pressure was crucial to the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott as it targeted the bus company's revenue stream by encouraging African Americans to stop using public transportation. This collective action not only financially strained the bus company but also drew national attention to the issues of segregation and civil rights. By effectively utilizing economic strategies, activists demonstrated how financial leverage could provoke change and challenge systemic injustices.
• In what ways did nonviolent resistance complement economic pressure during civil rights movements like the Montgomery Bus Boycott?
  • Nonviolent resistance complemented economic pressure by fostering solidarity and determination among participants while avoiding violent confrontations. During the Montgomery Bus Boycott, peaceful protests, community meetings, and organized efforts reinforced the commitment to boycotting city buses. This unified approach not only strengthened public support but also highlighted the moral high ground of the movement, enhancing its effectiveness and garnering broader sympathy from various communities.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of economic pressure tactics used during the Montgomery Bus Boycott on future civil rights movements in America.
  • The economic pressure tactics employed during the Montgomery Bus Boycott had profound long-term impacts on future civil rights movements in America. They established a successful model for utilizing economic boycotts and nonviolent resistance as effective strategies for social change. Movements such as those advocating for fair employment practices and desegregation across various industries borrowed these methods. This legacy not only influenced subsequent protests but also underscored the role of grassroots organizing in achieving substantial legislative victories, ultimately contributing to significant advancements in civil rights legislation.

Related terms

Boycott: A form of protest in which individuals or groups refuse to purchase goods or services from a particular company or country to express disapproval or to promote change.

Nonviolent resistance: A method of protest that seeks to achieve social or political change without the use of violence, often through peaceful demonstrations, sit-ins, and other forms of civil disobedience.

Civil Rights Movement: A pivotal movement in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans, seeking equal rights and social justice.