A Brief History Of Boycotts – & The Ones That Actually Worked

Although boycotts aren’t a new phenomenon, they have been as prominent in today’s world then ever before.

With all the war and injustice occurring in our current climate, one of the the only ways to seek affective change is boycotting, but does this act of protest actually work? By boycotting corporations, we as consumers can hold them accountable and hit them where it hurts—their wallets.

History of boycotting

The practice of boycotting originated in Ireland in the 1800s. It began when Charles Stewart Parnell and the Irish Land League initiated a campaign against exploitative landlords.

The term “boycott” originated from the actions taken against land agent Charles Boycott, who faced isolation as locals refused to engage with him or his business when he evicted Irish tenants from their land. This grassroots movement showcased the power of collective action which protesters around the world still enact today.

Recent boycotts

Most recently, major corporations like McDonald’s Coca Cola and Starbucks have faced significant boycotts due to their political stance and support of Israel during the ongoing war in Gaza.

The boycott towards McDonald’s was fuelled due to the McDonald’s Israeli franchise, who posted a campaign in October 2023, offering free meals for Israeli soldiers during the heightened conflict. The company quickly became the target of trending hashtags, with protest groups rallying outside stores and online petitions gaining hundreds of thousands of signatures.

In response to the controversial backlash, the company issued statements to clarify their positions. McDonald’s highlighted its local ownership and past humanitarian contributions and donations made to charities over the years. Despite these efforts, McDonald’s reported its first quarterly sales miss in nearly four years, “So long as this war is going on… we’re not expecting to see any significant improvement [in these markets],” a manager at McDonald’s reported.

@gar1icparmesan if you’re not gonna be the woke friend then WHO WILL??? #boycott ♬ original sound – Sehkiiiiiii

Despite corporate efforts, the boycott movement remains strong. The rise of social media has fostered this new and effective way of peaceful activism, with TikTok data revealing continued engagement with boycott-related hashtags

For many, boycotts are a crucial method for holding corporations accountable. Research suggests that as little as 3.5% of a population’s participation can catalyse significant political change. Boycotters, however, argue that given their significant influence, companies cannot afford to remain neutral on human rights issues, viewing boycotts to compel corporations to advocate for peace and justice.

Successful movements

Historically, many boycotts have proven effective. The Anti-Apartheid Movement, which emerged in 1959, focused on boycotting South African goods to protest the system of racial segregation. This movement persisted for nearly 35 years and played a crucial role in the eventual dismantling of apartheid in 1994.

Another significant example is the Montgomery Bus Boycotts from December 1955 to December 1956. Following Rosa Parks’ arrest for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white passenger, a boycott was organised against the segregated bus system. This boycott lasted for 381 days and culminated in the desegregation of Montgomery buses.

These past examples of boycotting are being carried over into the 21st century, with another recent example being the #StopHateForProfit Facebook Ad. This boycott mobilised over 1,000 companies to pause advertising on Facebook, raising awareness about the platform’s handling of hate speech.

Although there may be scepticism regarding the effectiveness of boycotts, historical and recent acts of boycotting have been proven to be an effective strategy. As consumers increasingly recognise their power, the potential for collective action through boycotting remains a potent tool for advocacy and seeking injustice to these corporate powers.

Words by Alyssa O’Sullivan