The Struggle For Equal Education Flashcards
Describe Brown v. Topeka board of education 1954.
> in 1952 20 US States had segregated public schools
> Linda Brown had to walk 20 blocks to her black school, when there was a white one just a few blocks away
> with the help of the NAACP, Her father took the Topeka Board of Education to court
When they lost they took it to the Supreme Court
> in May 1954 the Supreme Court ruled the segregation of public schools as unconstitutional
How successful was the Brown v. Topeka board of education 1954?
> the Supreme Court had no power to impose its decision and many southern states ignored it
However was huge breakthrough because:
- first time and
- largest most powerful court in the country had deemed a form of segregation as unconstitutional
- although was only schools, NAACP knew it would be easier to win in the future
Describe Little Rock High school 1957.
> 1957 9 black students led by Elizabeth Eckford attempted to enter Little Rock High, Arkansas
> they were met by an angry mob and the state governor Orval Faubus who surrounded the school with national guardsmen
> president Eisenhower responded by sending 1000 troops to protect the students for the rest of the year
Why was little rock high school important?
> showed for the first time that the President could and would exercise his power against segregation
> gave publicity to segregation
> was a victory for peaceful and brave protest
What is the argument that little rock high was not effective?
> by 1964 less than 2% of students attended multi-racial schools
Describe James Meredith and the Mississippi University 1962.
> in the June of 1962 the Supreme Court upheld the federal court’s decision to allow James Meredith to attend Mississippi university
> when he arrived to register he was barred from doing so by the state Governor
> Kennedy sent 2000 troops to break up the subsequent riots
> 300 troops had to remain stationed on campus to protect James until he graduated 3 years later
How was James Meredith and Mississippi Uni. important?
> the riots gave negative publicity to racism
