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History & Politics Trips to Georgia & Alabama

From slavery through to the Civil Rights Movement, the treatment of African Americans has been a stain on the nation’s history.  As the birthplace of both Confederate America and the Civil Rights Movement Georgia and Alabama are great destinations for history students.

There are an increasing number of memorials and museums documenting the events of the Civil Rights Movement. Students can stand in the pulpit where Dr. Martin Luther King preached and learn obout the bravery behind Rosa Parks refusal to give up her bus seat at this time of institutional inequality. 

A visit to America’s historic heartland is sure to leave a lasting impression and will give context to the events that have shaped modern America, providing a fascinating school trip.

 

Curriculum Topics Key Stage 5

  • The protection of Civil Liberties and Rights in the USA today
  • Race and Rights in contemporary US politics
  • The Supreme Court and Civil Rights

Prices start from£1575pp

Popular itinerary

Our sample itinerary provides you with an idea of the visits you can cover during your trip. We can tailor-make an itinerary to support your specific learning outcomes.

Morning Afternoon Evening
1 Flight from UK to Atlanta. Transfer to accommodation. Evening meal, overnight in Atlanta
2 Visit to the Martin Luther King Centre followed by a Tour of National Centre for Civil and Human Rights Travel to Montgomery Evening meal, overnight in Montgomery
3 Guided Tour of the city followed by visit to Civil Rights Memorial Museum Visit Rosa Parks Museum and Alabama State Capitol Bowling with evening meal, overnight in Montgomery
4 Travel to Selma, visit the Lowndes Interpretive Center and the National Voting Rights Museum Depart Selma for Birmingham Evening meal, overnight in Birmingham
5 Tour of 16th Street Baptist Church Visit Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Transfer to the airport. Overnight flight back to the UK
6 Arrive back in UK
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Morning Flight from UK to Atlanta. Transfer to accommodation.
Afternoon
Evening Evening meal, overnight in Atlanta
Morning Visit to the Martin Luther King Centre followed by a Tour of National Centre for Civil and Human Rights
Afternoon Travel to Montgomery
Evening Evening meal, overnight in Montgomery
Morning Guided Tour of the city followed by visit to Civil Rights Memorial Museum
Afternoon Visit Rosa Parks Museum and Alabama State Capitol
Evening Bowling with evening meal, overnight in Montgomery
Morning Travel to Selma, visit the Lowndes Interpretive Center and the National Voting Rights Museum
Afternoon Depart Selma for Birmingham
Evening Evening meal, overnight in Birmingham
Morning Tour of 16th Street Baptist Church
Afternoon Visit Birmingham Civil Rights Institute
Evening Transfer to the airport. Overnight flight back to the UK
Morning Arrive back in UK
Afternoon
Evening

Price Shown includes

  • Return Air Travel
  • 4 nights B&B Accommodation with visits included
  • Specialist Group Travel Insurance
  • Bespoke itinerary planning service
  • Free Place Ratios
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  • Online trip organiser & Travel App
  • 24/7 support whilst you are away

Reasons to Visit

Sweet Auburn Avenue Visitor Center (Georgia)

The hub of African-American culture at the turn of the century. Many of Atlanta's black leaders, entrepreneurs and artists congregated in the Sweet Auburn district, and although the area experienced a period of decline, tremendous preservation efforts have brought a rebirth to the area. The Sweet Auburn district is the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and a historic site that includes a visitor center depicting the story of Dr. King and the Civil Rights movement.

Martin Luther King Birthplace (Georgia)

The Birth Home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jnr., may be visited only with a park ranger led tour. You will need to register to tour the Birth Home of Dr. King. Reservations are handled on a first-come first-serve basis on the day of your tour, in person. No advance reservations can be made. The tour is strictly limited to 15 people per tour.

Ebenezer Baptist Church (Georgia)

Throughout its long history, Ebenezer Baptist Church has been a spiritual home to many citizens of the "Sweet Auburn" community. Its most famous member, Martin Luther King, Jr., was baptized as a child in the church. In 1960 Dr. King, Jr. became a co-pastor of Ebenezer with his father, "Daddy" King. He remained in that position until his death in 1968. As a final farewell to his spiritual home Dr. King, Jr.'s funeral was held in the church.

Center for Nonviolent Social Change (Georgia)

Run by his son, Dexter Scott King, the centre is part memorial and part education centre located close to where Dr King grew up. Outside the centre, Dr King's white marble crypt stands in Freedom Plaza, surrounded by a pool of water with a small pavilion in which an eternal flame burns. Inside, visitors find the world's largest collection of books and materials documenting the civil rights movement.

Kelly Ingram Park (Alabama)

Kelly Ingram Park (historically West Park), served as a central staging ground for large-scale protests organised by the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to end segregation in Birmingham. In May 1963 the authorities turned on the protesters, most of them children and high school students with police dogs and firehoses. Images were broadcast internationally, spurring a public outcry turning the nation's attention to the struggle for racial equality.

16th Street Baptist Church (Alabama)

On Sunday morning, September 15, 1963, the Ku Klux Klan bombed the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four girls. This murderous act shocked the nation and galvanized the civil rights movement. The deaths of the children followed by the loss of President Kennedy two months later gave birth to a tide of grief and anger--a surge of emotional momentum that helped ensure the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (Alabama)

The Institute has one simple mission: “to promote civil and human rights world-wide, through education”. Journey through the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s/60s and on to the human rights struggles of today with a tour of the permanent exhibitions. Witness firsthand the powerful lessons of the Movement.

Selma to Montgomery Interpretative Center (Alabama)

Built in memory of those who peacefully marched 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery for the right to vote. Exhibits in, Selma Alabama, portray the events of the march including the murder of Viola Liuzzo, a white woman who assisted the marchers; and the establishment of Tent City which benefited families dislodged by white landowners in Lowndes County.

National Voting Rights Museum (Alabama)

Located in the Historic District of Selma, Alabama at the foot of the famous Edmund Pettus Bridge, the scene of “Bloody Sunday,” the National Voting Rights Museum & Institute is the cornerstone of the contemporary struggle for voting rights and human dignity.

The Dexter Parsonage Museum (Alabama)

This 91-year-old structure is the former home of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his family in Montgomery, Alabama. It has been fully restored with the original furniture and furnishings used by the King family. See the actual pulpit where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. first preached his message of hope and brotherhood at this national historic site.

Civil Rights Memorial (Alabama)

This beautiful and fitting monument in Montgomery, Alabama, designed by Maya Lin, honors those who died during the civil rights movement and serves as a vehicle for education and reflection on the struggle for equality. In addition to state-of-the-art exhibits and in-depth information about Civil Rights Movement martyrs, the Civil Rights Memorial Center houses a 56-seat theater, a classroom for educational activities, a section dedicated to contemporary social justice issues and the Wall of Tolerance.

Rosa Parks Library & Museum (Alabama)

Experience the courageous spirit of Rosa Parks, a 42-year-old seamstress who sparked the modern civil rights movement by taking a stand while keeping her seat. Watch a re-enactment of the events and listen to actual participants of the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott.

First White House of the Confederacy (Alabama)

Visit the home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and his family. They lived in the home while Montgomery was the Capital of the Confederate States of America. Today, it contains period furnishings and many of Davis’ personal belongings.

Alabama State Capitol

The only state capitol designated a National Historic Landmark where Jefferson Davis took the oath of office as President of the Confederate States of America. The historic Senate and House of Representatives Chambers, the old Supreme Court Chambers and the original Governor’s office have been restored to the Civil War era.


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Places to Stay

Speak to one of our knowledgeable Tour Consultants today for expert advice on the most suitable accommodation for your specific requirements and budget.