How Did The Little Rock Nine Influence The Civil Rights Movement

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The 1950s and 60s was a time of radical change and the issue at the forefront of this tumultuous time period was The Civil Rights Movement. African-Americans fiercely advocated for equal rights in the Brown vs. Board of Education case, which ended segregation in public schools. One of the most memorable stories of desegregation was that of the Little Rock Nine, the nine black students that integrated Little Rock Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. These students showed courage in the face of vile hatred and their actions allowed for the success of The Civil Rights Movement. The Little Rock Nine members consisted of Elizabeth Eckford, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Minnijean Brown, Gloria Ray Karlmark, Thelma Mothershed, and Melba Pattillo Beals. The nine were selected because of their stellar grades, attendance, and accomplishments and were the best candidates to begin the process of integration. This decision was greeted with mass backlash and on the day the students were scheduled to enter, they were faced with a blockade from the National Guard which …show more content…

Faubus agreed, but he instead withdrew the National Guard and left the students subject to the intense hatred of white protesters. The whites tried to use their political prowess over black citizens to keep them oppressed by electing white leaders who advocated against civil rights and integration. The Brown vs Board of education of ruling threatened their power, and they took this anger out on the Little Rock Nine. The crowd resorted to violence, even throwing bricks at the students. Eisenhower decided to take control at a national level and dispatched the 101st Airborne Division and put the Arkansas National under national control. Eisenhower’s leadership allowed for the Little Rock Nine to safely enter the