5.2 The Little Rock Nine and the Integration of Public Schools

The Little Rock Nine's integration of Central High School in 1957 was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement. Nine African American students faced intense opposition as they bravely desegregated the all-white school, sparking national attention and federal intervention.

Governor Faubus's resistance to integration led to a showdown with President Eisenhower. The deployment of federal troops to enforce desegregation demonstrated the federal government's commitment to civil rights and its power over state governments in these matters.

The Little Rock Nine

Integration of Little Rock Central High School

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• Little Rock Central High School selected as the first Arkansas school to desegregate in 1957
• Nine African American students chosen to integrate the all-white school based on academic excellence and character
• Ernest Green became the first African American student to graduate from Little Rock Central High School in 1958
• Daisy Bates, president of Arkansas NAACP, played a crucial role in organizing and supporting the Little Rock Nine
• Extensive media coverage brought national and international attention to the desegregation efforts in Little Rock
• Photographs and news reports of the Little Rock crisis became iconic images of the civil rights movement

Challenges Faced by the Little Rock Nine

• Students encountered daily harassment, physical violence, and verbal abuse from white classmates
• Segregationists organized protests and demonstrations outside the school to intimidate the African American students
• Little Rock Nine received protection from a small group of sympathetic white students and military escorts
• Students faced academic challenges due to hostile learning environment and missed class time
• Families of the Little Rock Nine experienced economic repercussions, including job loss and threats

Governor Faubus and Resistance

Governor Orval Faubus's Opposition

• Governor Orval Faubus deployed Arkansas National Guard to prevent Little Rock Nine from entering the school
• Faubus claimed his actions were to maintain public safety and prevent violence
• Governor's resistance to integration gained support from segregationists across the South
• Faubus's actions directly challenged federal court orders to desegregate schools
• Political motivations influenced Faubus's stance, as he sought to appeal to white voters for reelection

Community Response and White Flight

• White flight began as some white families moved to avoid integrated schools
• Enrollment in private schools increased as an alternative to integrated public schools
• Local businesses faced economic pressure from segregationists to oppose integration
• Community divided between supporters of integration and those resisting desegregation
• Long-term demographic shifts in Little Rock and surrounding areas resulted from white flight

Federal Intervention

President Eisenhower's Response

• President Dwight D. Eisenhower initially attempted to negotiate with Governor Faubus
• Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard, removing them from Faubus's control
• President issued Executive Order 10730 to enforce desegregation in Little Rock
• Eisenhower's actions affirmed federal authority over state governments in civil rights matters
• Presidential intervention demonstrated the federal government's commitment to enforcing Brown v. Board of Education ruling

Military Involvement in School Integration

• 101st Airborne Division deployed to Little Rock to ensure the safety of the Little Rock Nine
• Approximately 1,200 soldiers arrived in Little Rock to maintain order and protect the students
• Military presence lasted throughout the 1957-1958 school year
• Soldiers escorted students to classes and patrolled school grounds to prevent violence
• Federal troops symbolized the power of the federal government to enforce civil rights laws