Effects Of Actions Of The Little Rock Nine

What effect did the actions of the Little Rock Nine have on the Civil Rights Movement in the

USA 1957- 1990's?

Introduction: 1957 - The Little Rock Nine

'In September 1957, nine black children in Little Rock, Arkansas, try to attend classes at Central High School. They are put off initially by legal maneuvers by the governor, and angry mobs. President Dwight D.Eisenhower sends in troops to ensure the safe entry of the Little Rock Nine, and the students return to enrol at the school. One student, Elizabeth Eckford, gets separated from the others on the first day of classes and faces an angry mob alone.'1

The above actions of the Little Rock Nine had many effects on the Civil Rights Movement in the United States of America.

The Civil Rights Movement started at around 1957, and ended in the 1990's. A main effect was public awareness. This was brought on by the media attention the Little Rock Nine attracted, the government assistance that was sent from the Northern States, and the loss of credibility from Arkansas' actions.

Majority of the public, being aware of the situation, decided to let their voices be heard through protests. This was two sided - the number of whites who were against de-segregation displayed anger, resistance, and violence. For example Daisy Bates, who initiated the Little Rock Nine, endured threats including a rock thrown into her living room window. However, the number of blacks who were for de-segregation expressed their views by marching without violence or threat to the whites. Most were adamant that they keep their dignity, following Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy of non-violent protest. 3

After the students were rejected by the Arkansas legal enforcements, for example the Supreme Court's ruling in Brown vs. Board of Education 2., the Northern States sent government assistance in the form of 1000 soldiers. President Eisenhower ordered the soldiers to protect the nine African American students, and to enforce the law 4. Faubes delayed seeking help; due to the possibility that he continued to deny that there was a problem between the African Americans and the whites.

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