The Little Rock Nine Integration Quiz

What was the significance of the Little Rock Nine in the context of the Civil Rights Movement?

• They were the first African American students to attend a university in the South.

• They were a group of students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957.

• They were the first African American students to graduate from a Southern high school.

• They were a group of students who protested against school segregation in Washington, D.C.

Answer explanation

The Little Rock Nine were significant as they were the first group of African American students to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957, symbolizing the struggle against school segregation during the Civil Rights Movement.

Explain how the federal government intervened in the Little Rock Crisis.

• The federal government passed new legislation to enforce desegregation.

• President Eisenhower sent federal troops to ensure the students could safely attend school.

• The federal government provided financial incentives to schools that integrated.

• The federal government imposed sanctions on states that resisted integration.

Answer explanation

During the Little Rock Crisis, President Eisenhower intervened by sending federal troops to ensure that nine African American students could safely attend Central High School, enforcing the desegregation mandated by the Supreme Court.

Analyze the impact of the Brown v. Board of Education decision on Southern states' policies regarding school integration.

• It led to immediate and widespread integration across all Southern states.

• It resulted in varied responses, with some states resisting integration despite the ruling.

• It had no significant impact on Southern states' policies.

• It caused Southern states to close public schools to avoid integration.

Answer explanation

The Brown v. Board of Education decision led to varied responses in Southern states, with many resisting integration through various means, demonstrating that the ruling did not result in immediate or uniform changes.

What was the main legal precedent set by the Brown v. Board of Education decision?

• Segregated schools were deemed constitutional.

• Segregated schools were declared unconstitutional.

• Segregated schools were allowed if equal facilities were provided.

• Segregated schools were to be phased out over a decade.

Answer explanation

The Brown v. Board of Education decision declared that segregated schools were unconstitutional, overturning the previous 'separate but equal' doctrine and marking a significant step towards desegregation in the United States.

Describe the initial plan developed by the Little Rock School Board for integrating schools.

• Immediate integration of all grades in all schools.

• Gradual integration starting with high schools.

• Integration of only elementary schools.

• Integration of schools based on parental choice.

Answer explanation

The Little Rock School Board's initial plan was to implement gradual integration, starting with high schools, to ease the transition and address community concerns about immediate changes.

Evaluate the role of media coverage in shaping public perception of the Little Rock Crisis.

• Media coverage had little to no impact on public perception.

• Media coverage was biased and only showed the negative aspects of integration.

• Media coverage brought national attention to the resistance against desegregation.

• Media coverage focused solely on the federal government's actions.

Answer explanation

Media coverage played a crucial role in highlighting the resistance to desegregation during the Little Rock Crisis, bringing national attention to the events and influencing public perception of the struggle for civil rights.

Identify the year when the Little Rock Nine integrated Central High School.

• 1954

• 1955

• 1956

• 1957

Answer explanation

The Little Rock Nine integrated Central High School in 1957, following the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Discuss the challenges faced by the Little Rock Nine during their integration process.

• They were welcomed by all students and faculty.

• They faced hostility and violence from segregationists.

• They were provided with special privileges to ease their transition.

• They were ignored by the media and public.

Answer explanation

The Little Rock Nine faced significant challenges during their integration, including hostility and violence from segregationists, which made their experience extremely difficult and dangerous.

What was the reaction of the Arkansas state government to the integration of Central High School?

• The state government fully supported the integration.

• The state government attempted to block the integration.

• The state government remained neutral on the issue.

• The state government provided additional resources for integration.

Answer explanation

The Arkansas state government attempted to block the integration of Central High School, reflecting resistance to desegregation efforts during that period.

Assess the long-term effects of the Little Rock Crisis on the Civil Rights Movement.

• It had no significant impact on the movement.

• It discouraged further efforts towards desegregation.

• It strengthened the resolve of civil rights activists and highlighted the need for federal intervention.

• It led to the immediate end of segregation in all public schools.

Answer explanation

The Little Rock Crisis galvanized civil rights activists, demonstrating the need for federal intervention in desegregation efforts, thus strengthening the movement rather than discouraging it.