4. As a young man, he was greatly impressed by Mahatma Gandhi's success in the political field
and the power of ahimsa. Martin Luther King decided to follow the path of non-violence and
get millions of Blacks their due. He felt that the Blacks had immensely contributed towards
the building of America, and there was no reason why they should not be treated with respect.
King drew national attention in 1956. Since the Blacks were not permitted to sit in the same
buses as the Whites, he led a boycott of public buses in Montgomery. A year later, after many
arrests and threats, the US Supreme Court gave a ruling that racial segregation of public transport
was unlawful. This victory taught the Blacks the power of non-violence. After 1957, King
began visiting various places to deliver lectures. Soon he became a powerful orator, drawing
the attention of people the world over.
King continued the fight, a peaceful fight, demanding the rights of the Blacks. In 1964, he was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1967, King led many peaceful demonstrations against the
Vietnam War and in 1968 he declared a Poor People's Campaign. On April 4, of that very year,
while planning a demonstration of striking sanitation workers, he was shot dead by an assassin.
Questions
(8 x 1 = 8)
1. Which two qualities of Mahatma Gandhi greatly impressed Martin Luther King in his
young age?
2. What did he decide to do then?
3. Why did he want to fight for the rights of the Blacks in America?
4. In which year did King draw national attention?
5. Why did King lead a boycott of public buses?
6. Was he successful in his attempt?
7. How did he draw the attention of the whole world?
8. When was he awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?
Answers
Answer : (1) As a young man, he was greatly impressed by Mahatma Gandhi's success in political field and the power of ahimsha.(2) He decided to follow the path of non- violence and get millions of Blacks get their due.(3) He felt that the Blacks had immensely contributed towards the building of America, and there was no reason why they should not be treated with respect.(4) King drew national attention in 1956.(5) Since the Blacks were not permitted to sit in the same buses as the Whites, he led a boycott of public buses in Montgomery.(6) Yes, he was successful in his attempt.(7) After 1957,king began visiting various places to deliver lectures. Soon he became a powerful orator, drawing the attention of people world over.(8) In 1964, he awarded the Nobel Prize.
Answer:
As a young man, he was greatly impressed by Mahatma Gandhi's success in the political field
and the power of ahimsa. Martin Luther King decided to follow the path of non-violence and
get millions of Blacks their due. He felt that the Blacks had immensely contributed towards
the building of America, and there was no reason why they should not be treated with respect.
King drew national attention in 1956. Since the Blacks were not permitted to sit in the same
buses as the Whites, he led a boycott of public buses in Montgomery. A year later, after many
arrests and threats, the US Supreme Court gave a ruling that racial segregation of public transport
was unlawful. This victory taught the Blacks the power of non-violence. After 1957, King
began visiting various places to deliver lectures. Soon he became a powerful orator, drawing
the attention of people the world over.
King continued the fight, a peaceful fight, demanding the rights of the Blacks. In 1964, he was
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. In 1967, King led many peaceful demonstrations against the
Vietnam War and in 1968 he declared a Poor People's Campaign. On April 4, of that very year,
while planning a demonstration of striking sanitation workers, he was shot dead by an assassin.
Questions
(8 x 1 = 8)
1. Which two qualities of Mahatma Gandhi greatly impressed Martin Luther King in his
young age?
2. What did he decide to do then?
3. Why did he want to fight for the rights of the Blacks in America?
4. In which year did King draw national attention?
5. Why did King lead a boycott of public buses?
6. Was he successful in his attempt?
7. How did he draw the attention of the whole world?
8. When was he awarded the Nobel Peace Prize?