History The Civil Rights Movement Questions Long
The Little Rock Nine refers to a group of nine African American students who were enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Their enrollment was a result of the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The events surrounding the Little Rock Nine had a significant impact on the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
1. Brown v. Board of Education: The Supreme Court ruling in 1954 set the stage for the Little Rock Nine. It declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). This ruling provided the legal basis for desegregation efforts across the country.
2. Little Rock Central High School: Little Rock Central High School was an all-white school in Arkansas. In 1957, the school board decided to comply with the Supreme Court's ruling and allow the enrollment of African American students. This decision marked a significant step towards desegregation in the South.
3. The Little Rock Nine: The nine African American students who enrolled in Little Rock Central High School were Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Minnijean Brown, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed, and Melba Pattillo Beals. They faced intense opposition and hostility from white students, parents, and segregationist groups.
4. The Little Rock Crisis: On September 4, 1957, the first day of school, Elizabeth Eckford attempted to enter the school but was met with a hostile mob and was unable to enter. This event was captured in a photograph that became an iconic symbol of the struggle for civil rights. The Arkansas National Guard was called in by Governor Orval Faubus to prevent the students from entering the school, defying the Supreme Court's ruling.
5. President Eisenhower's Intervention: President Dwight D. Eisenhower, after witnessing the violence and defiance of the Arkansas National Guard, federalized the guard and ordered the 101st Airborne Division of the United States Army to escort the Little Rock Nine into the school on September 25, 1957. This marked the first time since Reconstruction that federal troops were used to enforce civil rights.
6. Media Coverage: The events surrounding the Little Rock Nine received extensive media coverage, both nationally and internationally. The images and stories of the students facing violence and discrimination brought attention to the ongoing struggle for civil rights in the United States. The media coverage helped galvanize public opinion and support for desegregation.
7. Legal Precedent: The Little Rock Nine case set a legal precedent for the enforcement of desegregation in public schools. It demonstrated that the federal government was willing to intervene and enforce the Supreme Court's rulings on civil rights. This precedent was crucial in subsequent desegregation efforts across the country.
8. Long-Term Impact: The Little Rock Nine and their courageous actions played a significant role in advancing the Civil Rights Movement. Their bravery and determination inspired other African American students to demand equal rights and opportunities in education. The events in Little Rock also highlighted the need for federal legislation to protect civil rights, leading to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
In conclusion, the key events of the Little Rock Nine, including their enrollment, the violent opposition they faced, President Eisenhower's intervention, and the subsequent media coverage, had a profound impact on the Civil Rights Movement. Their actions helped to challenge racial segregation in schools, set legal precedents, and inspire further activism for equal rights.