Courage on the Buses The Impact of Freedom Rides in the Civil Rights Movement

In 1961, CORE initiated the Freedom Rides to challenge segregation laws by traveling on interstate buses. Initially successful, the riders faced hostility in the Deep South, prompting federal intervention. Diane Nash continued the rides, leading to violent incidents in Montgomery. The federal government, led by Robert Kennedy, intervened, marking a triumph for the Civil Rights Movement. Despite imprisonment in Jackson, the riders' resolve strengthened, leading to desegregation of interstate travel.

What was the primary goal of the Freedom Rides initiated by CORE in 1961?

• To promote tourism in the South

• To establish new bus routes

• To test segregation laws on interstate buses

• To organize a national protest march

How did the initial Freedom Rides fare before reaching the deep South?

• They were canceled

• They were stopped by police

• They were largely peaceful

• They faced immediate violence

What prompted the federal government to intervene during the Freedom Rides?

• The riders' request for assistance

• The violent opposition faced by the riders

• A request from the state governors

• A Supreme Court ruling

Who was instrumental in organizing the second wave of Freedom Rides?

• Malcolm X

• Martin Luther King Jr.

• Rosa Parks

• Diane Nash

What significant event occurred in Montgomery during the second wave of Freedom Rides?

• The riders were ignored by the public

• The riders and reporters were violently attacked

• The riders were given police protection

• The riders were welcomed with open arms

What role did Dr. King play during the Freedom Rides?

• He called for federal assistance

• He led the riders

• He opposed the rides

• He organized the rides

What was the outcome of the federal government's intervention in the Freedom Rides?

• The rides were canceled

• The riders were arrested

• The rides continued without incident

• The National Guard was deployed

What was the significance of the Freedom Riders' imprisonment in Mississippi?

• It discouraged the movement

• It strengthened their resolve

• It led to a new law against protests

• It ended the Freedom Rides

How did the Freedom Riders respond to violence in prison?

• They requested a transfer

• They practiced non-violence

• They went on a hunger strike

• They retaliated with violence

What was the ultimate achievement of the Freedom Rides?

• The establishment of new bus companies

• The desegregation of interstate travel

• The end of all segregation laws

• The election of a civil rights leader