Question

What events or historical forces contributed to the Boston busing crisis of the mid-1970s? Name at least three, and briefly explain why you think each one was a contributory cause of the Boston busing crisis?

Answer 1

Answer:

1. the struggle for voting rights

2. de facto school segregation

3. quality of public schools in black neighborhood

Explanation:

1. the struggle for voting right: this was a struggle between de jure segregation that existed in just one part of the country (the states of the old south). but the problem of de facto segregation was one that existed throughout the country, and its effects perhaps seen most clearly in nation's public schools

2. de facto school segregation: several supreme court cases in the early 1960s made it clear that de facto school segregation was unlawful and that segregated schools would be integrated by court order if necessary. in early 1970s, court began requiring school plans, which would send African-American students to largely white schools and send withe students to largely African-American schools, as a means of achieving greater racial balance

3. quality of public schools in black neighborhood: in Boston, African-American community began protesting the quality of public schools in largely black neighborhoods in the early 1960s. in 1965, in response to federal investigation of possible segregation in the Boston public schools, the Massachusetts legislature passed a Racial imbalance act. the new law outlawed segregation in Massachusetts schools and threatened to cut off state funding for any school district that did not comply.