101st Airborne Division

Definition

The 101st Airborne Division is an elite modular infantry division of the United States Army, known for its role in airborne and air assault operations. This division gained significant fame during World War II, particularly for its actions during the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. In the context of civil rights, the division played a crucial role in ensuring the enforcement of federal laws, particularly during the integration of public schools in Little Rock, Arkansas.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The 101st Airborne Division was deployed to Little Rock in September 1957 after President Eisenhower issued an executive order to ensure the integration of public schools.
2. Soldiers from the 101st Airborne escorted the Little Rock Nine into Central High School, protecting them from violent protests and resistance from segregationists.
3. The division's involvement highlighted the federal government's commitment to enforcing civil rights laws during a time of intense racial conflict in America.
4. The actions of the 101st Airborne Division were pivotal in demonstrating that federal authority would uphold desegregation despite local opposition.
5. The deployment of troops marked a significant moment in American history, showcasing military involvement in civil rights issues and setting a precedent for future federal interventions.

Review Questions

• How did the 101st Airborne Division contribute to the process of desegregation in Little Rock?
  • The 101st Airborne Division played a critical role in enforcing desegregation in Little Rock by escorting the Little Rock Nine into Central High School amidst hostile protests. Their presence was a direct response to local resistance against federal mandates for integration. This military intervention underscored the importance of federal authority in protecting civil rights and ensured that the nine students could safely attend school.
• Discuss the implications of deploying the 101st Airborne Division during the Little Rock crisis on federal-state relations.
  • Deploying the 101st Airborne Division during the Little Rock crisis significantly impacted federal-state relations by showcasing a shift toward federal intervention in state matters regarding civil rights. This action illustrated that the federal government would not hesitate to intervene when state authorities failed to protect citizens' rights. The military's involvement set a precedent for future actions against segregation and affirmed that civil rights were a national concern.
• Evaluate how the actions of the 101st Airborne Division at Little Rock influenced subsequent civil rights movements across America.
  • The actions of the 101st Airborne Division at Little Rock served as a powerful symbol of federal commitment to civil rights, influencing subsequent movements across America by demonstrating that government intervention was possible. This event galvanized activists and highlighted the importance of using federal power to challenge systemic racism. The division's involvement helped inspire other civil rights initiatives, emphasizing that achieving equality required both grassroots efforts and support from higher levels of government.

Related terms

Little Rock Central High School: The high school at the center of the Little Rock Nine crisis, where nine African American students were denied entry in 1957, sparking national attention and federal intervention.

Desegregation: The process of ending the separation of different racial groups in public places, particularly schools, which was a key issue during the civil rights movement.

Eisenhower's Executive Order: An order issued by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to deploy federal troops to enforce desegregation and protect the Little Rock Nine during their attempts to attend school.