Question

Read the excerpt from “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”

In our own nation, the Boston Tea Party represented a massive act of civil disobedience.

Why does King use this allusion?
to establish historical precedent for his actions
to commemorate a beloved US leader
to appeal to his critics’ sense of moral justice
to forge a connection with modern political figures

Answer 1

to establish historical precedent for his actions

King alludes to the Boston Tea Party to show that civil disobedience has a respected place in American history and to legitimize his nonviolent protests as consistent with that tradition.