Little Rock 9 Flashcards
What was the Little Rock Nine?
The Little Rock Nine were a group of nine African American students who were the first to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957.
Why was the Little Rock Nine significant?
Their integration of Central High School marked a key moment in the Civil Rights Movement, challenging the practice of racial segregation in public schools following the Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954.
When did the Little Rock Nine attempt to integrate Central High School?
The Little Rock Nine attempted to integrate Central High School on September 4, 1957.
What was the response to the Little Rock Nine’s attempt to integrate the school?
The students were initially blocked by the Arkansas National Guard, called in by Governor Orval Faubus to prevent their entry, despite the Supreme Court’s ruling that school segregation was unconstitutional.
How did President Eisenhower respond to the Little Rock crisis?
In September 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent 1,000 federal troops to Little Rock to enforce the desegregation and protect the Little Rock Nine, allowing them to safely attend school.
How did the Little Rock Nine manage to attend school?
After federal troops were deployed, the nine students were escorted into Central High School under heavy security, although they faced daily harassment and threats.
Who were the Little Rock Nine?
The nine students were: Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Hazel Bryan, Jefferson Thomas, Melba Patillo, Minnijean Brown, Gloria Ray, Terrence Roberts, and Carlotta Walls.
What role did the NAACP play in the Little Rock Nine’s integration?
The NAACP provided legal support to the Little Rock Nine, helping to challenge the segregation of public schools and advocating for the students’ right to attend Central High.
What happened to the Little Rock Nine after the first year?
By the end of the 1957-58 school year, the students continued to face violent opposition, and Governor Faubus closed the Little Rock public high schools for the 1958-59 school year in an effort to prevent desegregation.
What was the impact of the Little Rock Nine on American society?
The events surrounding the Little Rock Nine drew national attention to the struggle for civil rights and were pivotal in the desegregation of public schools across the United States.
Who was Ernest Green?
Ernest Green was the first African American to graduate from Little Rock Central High School in 1958, becoming a symbol of the success of desegregation.
Who was Elizabeth Eckford?
Elizabeth Eckford was one of the Little Rock Nine. She became widely known for her solitary walk to Central High on the first day of school, facing an angry mob without the support of the other students.
Who was Governor Orval Faubus?
Orval Faubus was the Governor of Arkansas who opposed the desegregation of Central High School and deployed the Arkansas National Guard to prevent the Little Rock Nine from entering the school.
Who was Melba Patillo Beals?
Melba Patillo Beals was one of the Little Rock Nine and later became a journalist and author, writing about her experiences as one of the first black students at Central High.
Who was Daisy Bates?
Daisy Bates was a civil rights leader and head of the Arkansas NAACP who mentored the Little Rock Nine and helped them navigate the challenges they faced during school integration.
