Eisenhower Sends Troops to Enforce Desegregation

September 24th, 1957

September 24th, 1957

Eisenhower Sends Troops to Enforce Desegregation
How Long Ago?

67 years, 5 months, 19 days ago

Location

Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

Category

Social Movements & Civil Rights

People
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower
  • Orval Faubus
  • Little Rock Nine
Links & References
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Eisenhower Sends Troops to Enforce Desegregation

President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock, Arkansas, in September 1957 to enforce school desegregation following a crisis at Central High School. This decision was prompted by Governor Orval Faubus's use of the Arkansas National Guard to prevent nine African American students from attending the school, igniting national outrage and highlighting the struggle for civil rights. Eisenhower's intervention was crucial in upholding federal authority and ensuring the enforcement of the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education.

Little Rock Nine faced violent resistance in 1957.

Eisenhower enforced federal desegregation laws.

Orval Faubus defied federal authority at Central High.

101st Airborne protected students during integration.

What Happened?

In September 1957, a significant confrontation over school desegregation unfolded in Little Rock, Arkansas, when nine African American students, known as the Little Rock Nine, attempted to integrate Central High School. Despite the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, intense resistance was faced at the state level. Governor Orval Faubus deployed the Arkansas National Guard under the guise of maintaining order to prevent the students from entering the school, leading to a standoff that drew national media attention and sparked a civil rights crisis. In response to escalating tensions and pressure for federal intervention, President Dwight D. Eisenhower made the pivotal decision to send the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock. This action underscored the federal government’s commitment to uphold civil rights and ensure compliance with the law. The soldiers arrived in the city to protect the students, ensuring their safe entry into the school and helping restore order amid protests from segregationists. This historic moment served as a clear signal of the federal government’s dedication to the desegregation process in the face of local defiance, marking a crucial step forward in the civil rights movement.

Why Does it Matter?

The sending of the 101st Airborne Division to Little Rock was a turning point in the civil rights movement, showcasing the federal government's role in enforcing desegregation. It highlighted the conflict between state and federal authority and illustrated the lengths to which the government would go to protect the rights of African Americans amidst widespread resistance. This event served to energize activists and set a precedent for subsequent civil rights actions across the country.

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