How far has the importance of Martin Luther King been exaggerated?

Intro:

Who was MLK?

What is he famous for? – short explanation of his key influences – Speech, leader, inspiration, symbol, death leads to many changes to be made in his honour

Make brief reference to contrasting opinions on MLK – use quotes (one positive Vs one Negative)

State you opinion as to how important he was in Civil Rights in comparison to other factors - mention who else you feel as important

Section 1 –MLK focus

Importance of MLK? –

he has different roles - as a leader (tactics, organisation, uniting organisations) ,

as an inspirer (speeches, non-violent campaign, getting public support for direct actions),

Influencing legal changes (using his fame to raise profile of incidents which lead to change, his stature allows him to speak to Presidents)

MLK’s strengths and weaknesses

Section 2 – Starting the Civil Rights Movement

Was MLK significant in starting the Civil Rights Movement? – when did Civil Rights actually start?

Who played key roles in it starting?

What had been achieved by the time MLK becomes involved?

Would MLK have been able to have made changes if it wasn’t for these changes?

Section 3 – Others involved

The significance of other (supposedly ‘Less important’) African Americans – Rosa Parks, Oliver Brown, 9 black teenagers in Little Rock, teenagers in the sit-ins, NAACP

How MLK helps their cause – did they need MLK or did he need them?

Section 4 – Extremists

White Racists – did they inadvertently help the Civil Rights movement? Did King manipulate them to do what he wanted?

Black racists – Black Power, Black Panthers, Malcolm X – did they help or hinder king?

Section 5 – Government

Role of the Government - How did Presidents help the movement/how did the Suprme court help the movement?

Lincoln (although you may have already looked at him in the start of the movement)

Truman – bravest President?

Eisenhower – inadvertently/reluctantly/forced to help – link to the influence of white extremists and MLKs tactics

JFK – wanted to help but didn’t get chance

Johnson – helps in honour of JFK – did he want to help?

Section 6 - Conclusions

How important was MLK?

Who/what was the most important influence on Civil Rights?

Good Conclusions will make links between different influences – one couldn’t be successful without the other