Which event is commonly referred to as the catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s?

The Montgomery Bus Boycott is often considered the catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s due to its significant impact on raising awareness and mobilizing African Americans to demand equal rights. Sparked by Rosa Parks' act of defiance when she refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger, the boycott lasted for over a year, demonstrating the economic power of the African American community in Montgomery, Alabama. This event showcased collective action and resistance against systemic segregation, ultimately leading to a Supreme Court ruling that deemed bus segregation unconstitutional.

The success of the boycott also brought Martin Luther King Jr. to prominence as a leader in the movement, reinforcing the use of nonviolent protest as a strategy to combat racial injustice. While other events, such as the March on Washington and the Brown v. Board of Education decision, were crucial in the overall Civil Rights Movement, the Montgomery Bus Boycott marked the beginning of organized mass resistance against segregation in a way that inspired further actions and movements throughout the decade.