Little Rock Nine

Definition

The Little Rock Nine refers to a group of nine African American students who enrolled at Little Rock Central High School in 1957, becoming symbols of the struggle for school desegregation following the landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education. Their enrollment was met with intense resistance from segregationists and required federal intervention to ensure their safety and the enforcement of desegregation laws. This event highlighted the complexities and challenges of implementing civil rights reforms during the 1950s.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Little Rock Nine consisted of students who bravely faced hostility and violence when they attempted to attend an all-white high school in Arkansas.
2. On September 4, 1957, the students were initially prevented from entering Central High School by the Arkansas National Guard, ordered by Governor Orval Faubus.
3. After a national outcry and pressure from President Eisenhower, federal troops were sent to Little Rock on September 25, 1957, to escort the students into the school.
4. The events surrounding the Little Rock Nine drew national attention to the struggle for civil rights and were pivotal in shaping public opinion regarding school desegregation.
5. Their experience underscored the dangers faced by African American students seeking equal education and became a defining moment in the civil rights movement.

Review Questions

• How did the actions of the Little Rock Nine influence public perception of school desegregation efforts in the United States?
  • The actions of the Little Rock Nine significantly influenced public perception by bringing national attention to the issue of school desegregation. Their courageous attempt to integrate Central High School highlighted the violent resistance faced by African American students seeking equal educational opportunities. The media coverage of their experiences, including the hostility they encountered and federal intervention, helped shift public opinion towards supporting civil rights reforms and exposed the reality of segregation in America.
• Discuss the role of federal intervention in the events surrounding the Little Rock Nine and its impact on state resistance to desegregation.
  • Federal intervention played a crucial role in ensuring that the Little Rock Nine could safely attend school despite state-level resistance led by Governor Faubus. When state authorities used the National Guard to block their entry, President Eisenhower's decision to send federal troops underscored the federal government's commitment to enforcing desegregation laws. This intervention not only protected the students but also set a precedent for federal authority over state actions regarding civil rights, demonstrating that states could not defy Supreme Court rulings without consequences.
• Analyze how the experience of the Little Rock Nine relates to broader themes of racial inequality and civil rights during the 1950s in America.
  • The experience of the Little Rock Nine is deeply connected to broader themes of racial inequality and civil rights during the 1950s. It exemplified the fierce resistance to desegregation even after landmark decisions like Brown v. Board of Education. The hostility faced by these students reflected widespread systemic racism and highlighted how deeply ingrained segregation was in American society. Their bravery not only served as a catalyst for further civil rights activism but also illustrated the necessity for continued advocacy for equality and justice, as many communities across America were grappling with similar issues.

Related terms

Civil Rights Movement: A social movement in the United States aimed at ending racial segregation and discrimination against African Americans, primarily during the 1950s and 1960s.

Eisenhower's Intervention: President Dwight D. Eisenhower's decision to send federal troops to Little Rock in September 1957 to protect the Little Rock Nine and enforce integration at Central High School.

School Desegregation: The process of eliminating racial segregation in public schools, mandated by the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.