Little Rock Nine

Question 1

What happened?

Answer 1

• After Brown v. Board (1954) declared school segregation illegal, schools were supposed to desegregate.
• In Little Rock, Arkansas, nine Black students (known as the Little Rock Nine) enrolled at the previously all-white Central High School.
• The Governor, Orval Faubus, opposed desegregation and sent the Arkansas National Guard to block the students from entering.

Question 2

Federal government intervention?

Answer 2

President Eisenhower sent about 1,000 federal troops from the 101st Airborne Division to escort and protect the students so they could attend school safely.
• This was the first time since Reconstruction that federal troops were used to enforce civil rights.

Question 3

Outcome?

Answer 3

students faced harassment and abuse but attended the school under federal protection.
• Showed how difficult and violent desegregation was in the South, despite the Supreme Court ruling.

Question 4

Why is it important?

Answer 4

✅ Demonstrated the limits of Brown v. Board — rulings needed federal enforcement to work.
✅ Showed the deep white resistance to integration in the South.
✅ Marked a key moment where the federal government acted to support civil rights.
✅ Inspired the Civil Rights Movement to continue pushing for equality despite resistance.