Which event is considered a major catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement in the United States?

The Montgomery Bus Boycott is viewed as a significant catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement because it marked a pivotal moment in the fight against racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. Initiated in 1955 after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white person, the boycott lasted for over a year and demonstrated the power of collective action in challenging unjust laws.

This event galvanized both local and national attention to issues of racial inequality and highlighted the effectiveness of nonviolent protest. The success of the boycott led to a Supreme Court ruling that declared segregation on public buses unconstitutional, serving as a key victory for the movement and inspiring further activism across the country.

Other events listed, such as the Emancipation Proclamation, the signing of the Constitution, and the Great Depression, played important roles in American history; however, they do not specifically serve as catalysts for the Civil Rights Movement. The Emancipation Proclamation, while a critical step towards ending slavery, occurred much earlier and did not directly address the systemic issues of segregation and civil rights that the movement sought to resolve. The Constitution, although foundational to American governance, was not specifically aimed at civil rights for African Americans at the time of its signing. The Great Depression affected many,