The Little Rock crisis-In 1957 After the Brown v Board of Education ruling, only some school boards began to desegregate their schools, and they did so slowly. This was because the Supreme Court had not given a specific timeframe for desegregation ( stop segregation and intergrate) to happen. Additionally, some cities and communities refused to stop segregation.
The local school board in Little Rock, Arkansas, decided to proceed with school desegregation. In September 1957, supported by local NAACP branch leader Daisy Bates, nine African American students attempted to attend Central High School in Little Rock.
There was a fierce backlash in the local community. White Citizens’ Councils (WCC) organised against the desegregation of Central High School. On the first day of the school term, a large angry mob gathered outside the school to show their opposition to desegregation and to intimidate the African American students. Two of the students who attended Central High School in Little Rock were Elizabeth Eckford and Minnijean Brown.
The governor of Arkansas, Orval Faubus, upheld segregation by using the Arkansas National Guard to stop the nine African American students from attending Central High School. This was illegal. To resolve the crisis, President Dwight D Eisenhower intervened and sent the army to ensure the Little Rock Nine could attend Central High School.
The events in Little Rock attracted worldwide attention to the civil rights movement and can be seen to have directly influenced the Civil Rights Act of 1957. The Act was primarily aimed at ensuring that all Americans, regardless of their race or colour, could exercise their right to vote.
Why do you think the events at Little Rock High School were so significant for the progress in civil rights in the 1950s?
The events at Little Rock High School were significant for the progress in civil rights in the 1950s for several reasons.
Firstly, the Little Rock crisis highlighted the resistance and backlash that African Americans faced when trying to desegregate schools. It brought attention to the deep-rooted racism and segregation that existed in many parts of the country. This helped to galvanize support for the civil rights movement and put pressure on the government to take action.
Secondly, the intervention of President Eisenhower in sending federal troops to enforce desegregation at Central High School showed that the federal government was willing to uphold the Constitutional rights of African American students. This set a precedent for future desegregation efforts and showed that the government was serious about enforcing civil rights laws.
Additionally, the international attention that the events in Little Rock received helped to shine a spotlight on the issue of segregation in the United States. It put pressure on the government to take action and showed the world the injustices faced by African Americans in America.
Overall, the events at Little Rock High School were a turning point in the civil rights movement of the 1950s. It highlighted the need for a more proactive approach to desegregation and helped to push forward the cause of civil rights for all Americans.