History coursework 2022
Historians disagree about the significance of Martin Luther King in advancing the civil rights
movement in America, 1954-68. What is your view on the significance of MLK?
Throughout the 20th century leading to today, there have been many debates regarding the reasons
for the advancement of the civil rights movement and the influence of differing factors. It is easy to
believe that Martin Luther King Jr. was predominantly involved in progressing civil rights in the USA
and presenting a cardinal role in integrating equality and freedom into the structure of America.
Despite this, there is huge controversy regarding the ultimate impact of Martin Luther King Jr.,
where space for alternative elements is necessary. Looking at the work of Derrick Murphy, you may
be convinced that Martin Luther King carried extreme value in evolving and developing the
movement of civil rights through his beneficial participation in the Montgomery Bus boycotts and
the persistent and successful activism and aid of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference
(SCLC), in which he led. However, other historians such as Vaughn Davis Bornet argue that the factor
of presidential support was imperative in the fight for equality and freedom by focusing on the
presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson who evidently used all his legal power to introduce landmark
legislation that was fundamental to the civil rights cause. Through Bornet we can, additionally,
appraise the component of legislation, particularly the civil rights acts of 1964, 1965, and 1968. The
ratification of these laws, which ultimately links back to the factor of presidency, not only gave place
to civil rights in politics and government, but it was also instrumental in advancing the civil rights
movement. On top of this, we must further delve into the influence of female activists who were
largely present during the civil rights movement. Historian Lynne Olson highlights how the powerful
involvement of females during the 20 th century, including Rosa Parks in the Montgomery Bus
Boycotts and Diane Nash who was present on the front lines of the freedom rides, is often
overlooked yet their pivotal involvement cannot be ignored. The historiography of the civil rights
movement proves the significant role of Martin Luther King as not only an activist but also a symbol
of fairness, however, this does not dismiss the impact of other powerful factors and does not place
Martin Luther King above all others involved.
Universally, it has always been known the importance presidential support holds when it comes to
all forms of activism. This importance has been evidently present throughout the civil rights
movement. Historian Vaughn Davis Bornet carries the view that the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson
was a demonstration of “what the government could do for the people” 1. Through the
administration of Johnson, Bornet captures the work done by his presidency that ultimately aided
the people of the civil rights movement, including those directly and indirectly involved and affected.
He states that throughout his presidency, Johnson introduced “three famous and epoch-making civil
rights acts”2. It is apparent that Bornet aims to divulge into how these acts moulded the civil rights
movement and how they are representative of the progress paved by the factor of presidency. The
1964 civil rights act is, arguably, the most impactful act in aid of the civil rights movement since the
civil rights act of 1871 which was set in motion during the era of reconstruction. The civil rights act of
1964, which was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, included the prohibition of
discrimination in public places, allowed for schools and other public facilities to be integrated, and
introduced discrimination in employment as an illegality 3. This was only one of the ground-breaking
acts introduced by Johnson alone, giving Black Americans the recognition in public places, education
1
Bornet, Vaughn Davis., Reappraising the presidency of Lyndon. B Johnson (Kansas, 1983) pp. 593. Np.:
University Press of Kansas
2
Ibid
3
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/civil-rights-act
1
, and employment, thus presenting radical dominance in the advancement of the civil rights
movement. Bornet further mentions the civil rights acts of 1965, which “outlawed discriminatory
voting practices''4 that were apparent in many Southern states after the civil war, and 1968 which
“helped to achieve fairness in terms of housing” 5. As said by Bornet, President Johnson was willing to
use his legal power to a maximum in order to assert change. The factor of presidency is evidently
revolutionary regarding the civil rights cause. Vaughn Davis Bornet further emphasises the
significance of presidency in the progression of civil rights by enunciating the support president
Lyndon B. Johnson acquired from certain Black American individuals. Bornet states that the first
Black individual in the Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall, has said that it has been “rewarding to
serve under a president who has led the nation to historic gains in the pursuit of equal justice under
law”6. It is apparent the extent of Johnson's impact and the indent he has left in the history of civil
rights through Marshall’s statement and Bornet’s evaluation of his presidency. Johnson’s success in
providing historical positives for the Black American movement had the conspicuous support of
Black American individuals, especially Thurgood Marshall, who was confirmed to be the first Black
Justice in 1937. Overtly, Johnson was pragmatic in his goal to reach civil rights legislation, and the
support he acquired from those around him meant that he “deserves to be called the civil rights
president”7. Through the work of Bornet in ‘Reappraising the Presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson’, we
could underline the fundamental indispensable impact that presidency, especially that of Johnson,
had in advancing the civil rights movement. Johnson’s momentous civil rights acts became a historic
pillar of the civil rights movement. The consequential nature of the acts allowed them to have such a
far-reaching impact on the Black-American community. As well as this, they sent a global message
that governmental authority has the power to create modifications in the lives of others, and even in
contemporary society, Johnson’s involvement within the civil rights movement is a powerful
memory.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning the underlying impact of legislation present in the work of
Vaughn Davis Bornet. Perhaps the role of legislation does not carry equal weight as the impact of
Johnson as the creation of laws are accredited to Johnson’s presidency, yet it continues to carry
significant influence in progressing the civil rights movement. Although Bornet does not outwardly
state how legislation is a considerable factor in the progress of civil rights; by appraising and making
the presidency of Johnson a focal point, the factor of legislation is undeniably outlined. As stated
above, Bornet shone light on the legislation written by Johnson during his presidency meaning that
legislation was another vital element in advancing the civil rights movement, even if it is as a result
of Johnson’s presidency. In his book, Bornet states his view that the “proximate cause” of these civil
rights acts was the “brilliant leadership of President Johnson and his determined team” 8. Although
accredited to Johsnson’s leadership, the civil rights acts were decisive in providing Black Americans
with basic human rights, and ultimately advancing the civil rights movement. Once again, without
the legislation of the 20th century that contributed to paving the way for progress, the expansion of
civil rights would not have been the same, in consequence, making the factor of legislation highly
significant.
On top of this, we cannot mention the progression of civil rights in 20 th century America without
crediting the female activists who spearheaded the movement. Historian Lynne Olson makes a point
in underlining the pivotal role of Black female individuals who are overlooked and often ignored in
most historical events, the case of the civil rights movement was no exception to this. To solidify
4
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/voting-rights-act
5
Bornet, Vaughn Davis., Reappraising the presidency of Lyndon. B Johnson (Kansas, 1983) pp. 593
6
Ibid. pp. 596
7
Ibid. pp. 593
8
Ibid. pp. 596
2
