To what extent was Dr Martin Luther King Jr successful in his attempts to achieve equality for African Americans?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the suggestion that Dr Martin Luther King Jr was successful in his attempts to achieve equality for African Americans. Candidates may offer equal coverage of evidence supporting Dr King’s successes and failures, or they may prioritize their assessment of either. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. Candidates may refer to examples of success as evidenced by the Montgomery bus boycott, the appeal to moderates through non-violent protests, increase in national awareness through the 1963 March on Washington and Dr King’s role in achieving passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example the failure to improve socio-economic conditions (Chicago Movement) or to effectively challenge patterns of de-facto segregation, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The extent to which Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was successful in achieving equality for African Americans was the most popular question of the session and produced a wide-range of quality in the responses. Weaker efforts were descriptive as to the personal qualities of Dr. King, citing his charisma, speeches and non-violent approach to reform. Stronger responses developed his successful efforts in the South and achievement in gaining support for transformative legislation (i.e., Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Voting Rights Act of 1965) along with his failed efforts to make progress in advancing economic equality in the North. There were many narratives of the broad Civil Rights Movement with little discussion of the role of Dr. King or asserting his role in events such as the Brown case where Dr. King was not involved.