key term - Little Rock Nine

Definition

The Little Rock Nine were a group of nine African American students who enrolled at Little Rock Central High School in 1957, becoming the first to integrate a previously all-white school in the Southern United States. Their enrollment followed the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional, setting the stage for civil rights activism and further legislative changes aimed at ending racial discrimination.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Little Rock Nine faced severe hostility and threats as they tried to enter Central High School, highlighting the intense resistance to desegregation in the South.
2. President Eisenhower intervened by sending federal troops to protect the Little Rock Nine and ensure their right to attend school, emphasizing federal authority over state opposition.
3. The events at Little Rock became a national symbol of the struggle for civil rights and highlighted the deep-seated racial tensions in America during the late 1950s.
4. The Little Rock Nine's bravery inspired other civil rights activists and helped spur momentum for further desegregation efforts across the country.
5. In 1999, Congress awarded the Little Rock Nine Congressional Gold Medals for their courage and contributions to the civil rights movement.

Review Questions

• How did the actions of the Little Rock Nine challenge existing social norms and laws regarding school segregation?
  • The actions of the Little Rock Nine directly challenged the prevailing social norms that upheld segregation in schools by exercising their right to attend a public school. Their enrollment at Little Rock Central High School defied local laws and practices that enforced racial separation, highlighting the contradictions between state policies and federal court rulings. This act of courage set off a series of confrontations that ultimately forced society to confront its deep-rooted racism.
• What role did federal government intervention play in the integration of Little Rock Central High School, and how did it reflect broader trends in civil rights legislation?
  • Federal government intervention was crucial during the integration of Little Rock Central High School as President Eisenhower deployed U.S. Army troops to protect the Little Rock Nine from violent opposition. This action demonstrated a significant shift in federal involvement in civil rights issues, marking an important moment when the government began actively enforcing desegregation laws. It reflected broader trends where federal authority increasingly challenged states' rights in order to uphold civil rights protections established by landmark decisions like Brown v. Board of Education.
• Evaluate how the experiences of the Little Rock Nine contributed to the overall civil rights movement and its subsequent legislative outcomes.
  • The experiences of the Little Rock Nine were pivotal in galvanizing support for the civil rights movement as their struggle drew national attention and outrage over racial injustice. The media coverage of their ordeal illustrated the harsh realities of segregation and mobilized public opinion against discriminatory practices. Their bravery not only inspired future generations of activists but also contributed to significant legislative outcomes, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which sought to dismantle segregation and promote equality across various aspects of American life.

Related terms

Brown v. Board of Education:

A landmark 1954 Supreme Court case that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional, serving as a catalyst for the desegregation movement.

Civil Rights Act of 1964:

A significant piece of legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and aimed to end segregation in schools and public places.

Orval Faubus: The Governor of Arkansas who opposed the integration of Little Rock Central High School and deployed the National Guard to prevent the Little Rock Nine from entering the school.