Question

Why did Alabama state police violently attack the peaceful protestors during Bloody Sunday? (A) The state troopers were part of the racist establishment in Alabama who were trying to prevent African Americans from speaking out for their right to vote. (B) The state troopers were trying to prevent African Americans from taking away white Americans' right to vote. (C) They had read about Bloody Sunday and knew that it was expected of them. (D) They had disobeyed Governor Wallace's orders to protect the peaceful protestors.

Short answer

(A) The state troopers were part of the racist establishment in Alabama who were trying to prevent African Americans from speaking out for their right to vote.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the context of Bloody Sunday in Alabama

Bloody Sunday was a pivotal event of the Civil Rights movement in the United States. On March 7, 1965, peaceful protestors in Selma, Alabama, were violently attacked by state troopers as they marched on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. These protestors were advocating for African American voting rights as they were facing significant barriers to registering as voters at that time.

Eliminate the incorrect options

Let's evaluate each of the given options: (B) The state troopers were trying to prevent African Americans from taking away white Americans' right to vote. This option is incorrect, as the peaceful protestors were advocating for equal voting rights for African Americans, not taking away white Americans' right to vote. (C) They had read about Bloody Sunday and knew that it was expected of them. This option is also incorrect because Bloody Sunday was named after the event that happened on March 7, 1965. The troopers involved did not know at that time that their actions would later come to be known as Bloody Sunday. (D) They had disobeyed Governor Wallace's orders to protect the peaceful protestors. This option is incorrect. Governor George Wallace of Alabama was known for his segregationist views and had ordered the state troopers to prevent the march from taking place. So, the state troopers were following the orders of Governor W

Key concepts

Bloody Sunday

On March 7, 1965, a significant event in the Civil Rights Movement unfolded, now known as Bloody Sunday. A group of peaceful protestors, advocating for African American voting rights, marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama. This day is marked by the violent encounter protestors faced from Alabama state troopers.
These courageous individuals aimed to bring attention to the harsh realities and obstacles faced by African Americans when attempting to register and vote. Their march was meant to represent a simple yet powerful plea for equal voting rights. Unfortunately, the peaceful intent was met with brutality, as the state troopers attacked them in an effort to suppress their voices.
This day left a lasting impact on the nation and is remembered as a pivotal moment that highlighted the desperate need for change in the quest for civil rights. The images of troopers attacking unarmed marchers spread rapidly, shocking many and providing undeniable evidence of the injustices occurring in the United States at the time.

African American voting rights

The fight for African American voting rights was one of the major focuses during the Civil Rights Movement. Even though the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, aimed to secure the right to vote regardless of race, numerous barriers were placed to prevent African Americans from voting.
These barriers included literacy tests, poll taxes, and other discriminatory practices designed specifically to disenfranchise African American voters. By the 1960s, civil rights leaders knew that addressing these voting rights injustices was crucial to achieving equality.
The Selma to Montgomery marches, including Bloody Sunday, were organized to protest these unfair practices and to push for voting reforms. The bravery shown by the marchers on Bloody Sunday, and the subsequent nationwide reaction, were key factors that led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This landmark legislation sought to eradicate these barriers and enforce the right to vote for all, reinforcing the foundations of democracy.

State troopers

State troopers played a controversial role during the events of Bloody Sunday. In Alabama, the state police force was primarily composed of individuals who enforced local laws and, at the time, reflected the prevailing segregationist policies.
State troopers were seen as extensions of Governor George Wallace's state administration, known for its resistance to the Civil Rights Movement. Wallace himself had a public stance against desegregation and the increasing pressure from civil rights activists. His orders were clear on March 7, 1965, directing troopers to halt the march and keep the protestors from continuing to Montgomery.
The violent actions of the state troopers on that day were not mere personal choices but were carried out under orders from higher authority, illustrating the systemic nature of racism enforced by state institutions. Understanding the role of the troopers and the dynamics at play during Bloody Sunday is essential in comprehending the broader scope of the struggles faced during the Civil Rights Movement.