Little Rock Highschool, 1957

Question 1

What happened in 1957?

Answer 1

• nine black students attended the newly desegregated Little Rock Highschool
• were treated very badly

Question 2

What did Orval Faubus do in 1958?

Answer 2

• closed every school in Little Rock
• attempted to stop racial integration taking place
• pressure from parents forced him to reopen after a year

Question 3

What were the events at Little Rock, 1957?

Answer 3

• School board agreeing Little Rock to be desegregated on 3 September 1957
• NAACP arranged for black students to arrive together on 4 September
• Faubus sent 250 state troops to block black students from entering
• Elizabeth Eckford came late, was racially abused and targeted
• NAACP challenge Faubus in court to remove state troops
• On 24 September, Eisenhower sends federal troops to ensure black students’ safety

Question 4

Why did President Eisenhower have to get involved?

Answer 4

• Worldwide media coverage of events worsened USA’s image abroad

Question 5

What was the significance of events at little rock?

Answer 5

• people shocked at how children were being racially abused
• Many schools in south shut down instead of integrating
• first black student graduated from little rock, however white students refused to sit with him in ceremony
• black students attending newly integrated schools were subject to violence and abuse