Massive resistance

Definition

Massive resistance refers to the coordinated strategy employed by white segregationists in the Southern United States in response to the 1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This movement aimed to resist integration through legal, political, and social means, reflecting deep-rooted racial tensions and a commitment to maintaining the status quo of white supremacy in education and society at large.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Massive resistance was prominently manifested through actions such as closing public schools, creating private 'segregation academies,' and using local governments to obstruct integration efforts.
2. The movement was not just limited to education; it extended to other public facilities, aiming to maintain segregation across all aspects of Southern life.
3. Prominent figures in the massive resistance included politicians like Virginia's Governor Harry Byrd, who advocated for 'massive resistance' as a political strategy against desegregation.
4. Massive resistance led to significant conflicts and violence, with instances such as the Little Rock Nine crisis in 1957, where federal intervention was needed to enforce integration.
5. The eventual decline of massive resistance was fueled by increasing federal enforcement of civil rights laws and growing support for the Civil Rights Movement across the country.

Review Questions

• How did massive resistance manifest itself in the South following the Brown v. Board of Education decision?
  • Massive resistance manifested through various strategies aimed at thwarting integration efforts in public schools. This included closing down public schools entirely to prevent them from integrating and creating private segregation academies for white students. Local governments enacted laws and policies that supported segregation, demonstrating a concerted effort by white Southerners to resist federal mandates for desegregation.
• Evaluate the impact of massive resistance on the Civil Rights Movement and subsequent legislative changes in the United States.
  • Massive resistance had a profound impact on the Civil Rights Movement by highlighting the deep-seated opposition to racial equality in the South. This opposition prompted increased activism among civil rights leaders and organizations, leading to more organized protests and campaigns. Over time, the intense scrutiny of massive resistance also paved the way for significant legislative changes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, aimed at dismantling institutionalized segregation and discrimination.
• Analyze how massive resistance influenced national perceptions of race relations in America during the 1950s and 1960s.
  • Massive resistance significantly influenced national perceptions of race relations by exposing the stark realities of racial conflict in America. The violent reactions to integration efforts were widely covered in the media, drawing attention to the systemic racism present in Southern society. This portrayal helped galvanize support for civil rights initiatives nationwide, as many Americans were appalled by the blatant injustices faced by African Americans. The conflict between federal authorities and Southern segregationists ultimately underscored the urgent need for comprehensive civil rights reforms.

Related terms

Brown v. Board of Education: A landmark 1954 Supreme Court case that unanimously ruled that racial segregation in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Southern Manifesto: A document signed in 1956 by 101 Southern congressmen that opposed the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education and called for resistance to school desegregation.

Civil Rights Movement: A social movement during the 1950s and 1960s aimed at ending racial discrimination and promoting equal rights for African Americans, which was often met with massive resistance.