Little Rock Nine and School Integration

Little Rock Nine

• In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
• In 1955, school districts were mandated to integrate "with all deliberate speed."
• The Little Rock, Arkansas, school board developed a plan for gradual integration in response to the Supreme Court's decision and NAACP pressure.
• High schools were set to integrate first, starting in September 1957.
• Two pro-segregation groups, Capital Citizens Council and Mother's League of Central High School, opposed the integration plan.
• Despite opposition, nine African-American students registered to attend Central High School.
• The nine students were counseled on what to expect and how to handle hostile situations.
• The group became known as the Little Rock Nine.
• On September 2, 1957, the Arkansas governor called in the National Guard to prevent the students from entering Central High, claiming it was for their protection.
• The governor insisted that violence might occur if black students were allowed to enter the school.
• Local police and the U.S. Army were brought in to control the situation and ensure the students' safe entry.
• Escorted by troops, the Little Rock Nine attended their first full day of classes on September 25, 1957.

Birmingham Children's Crusade

• For African-American children in Birmingham, the Civil Rights Movement was a significant part of their lives.
• They witnessed their parents' participation in mass meetings at churches like the 16th Street Baptist Church.
• Thousands of children were trained in non-violent tactics.
• On May 2, 1963, children left the 16th Street Baptist Church to peacefully protest segregation throughout the city.
• One goal was to discuss segregation with the mayor of Birmingham.
• Hundreds of children were arrested on the first day of the protest.
• On the second day, police sprayed the children with water hoses, hit them with batons, and threatened them with dogs, ordered by Commissioner of Public Safety Bull O'Connor.
• Despite the harsh treatment, children continued to volunteer for the demonstrations.
• Footage of the violent crackdown in Birmingham caused a national and global outcry.
• On May 5, protesters marched to the city jail, singing protest songs and continuing non-violent demonstrations.
• Local officials agreed to meet with civil rights leaders to discuss ending the protests.
• On May 10, city leaders agreed to desegregate businesses and release those jailed during the demonstrations.

Ku Klux Klan (KKK)

• Founded in 1866, the KKK existed in almost every southern state by 1870.
• The KKK protested against the Republican Party’s Reconstruction-era policies.
• They believed in white supremacy, and waged an underground campaign of intimidation and violence aimed at white and black Republican leaders.
• The Klan was revived in the early 20th century (1900s).
• The KKK carried out aggressive acts, burning crosses, along with staging rallies, parades and marches.
• They denounced immigrants, Catholics, Jews, blacks, and organized labor.
• The 1960s civil rights movement saw a surge in KKK activity.
• They bombed black schools and churches and had violence against black and white activists via lynching
• Klan members wore masks and long white robes and hoods.
• They typically attacked at night to restore white supremacy.
• Klan activity was higher in regions where blacks were a minority or small majority.
• A violent zone of Klan activity was South Carolina, where in January 1871, 500 masked men lynched eight black prisoners from the Union county jail.