Who Was the Governor of Arkansas Who Used National Guard Troops?
Orval Faubus was the governor of Arkansas who controversially deployed National Guard troops to prevent the desegregation of Central High School in Little Rock.
The Role of Governor Orval Faubus
Orval Faubus, serving as the Governor of Arkansas, garnered national attention for his actions during the 1957 school desegregation crisis. On September 2, 1957, the evening prior to the scheduled first day of classes for nine African American students at Little Rock's Central High School, Governor Faubus issued an order to activate the state's National Guard. His directive was to block the entrance of these students, known as the Little Rock Nine, into the school. Faubus publicly stated that this measure was taken to ensure the safety of the nine students amidst growing tensions.
Context: The Little Rock Crisis
The events at Little Rock Central High School in 1957 marked a pivotal moment in the American Civil Rights Movement. Following the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling, which declared state-sponsored segregation in public schools unconstitutional, schools across the nation were mandated to desegregate. Little Rock Central High School was slated to be the first in Arkansas to integrate, with nine African American students enrolling. Governor Faubus's decision to deploy the National Guard directly challenged this federal mandate, leading to a confrontation that necessitated federal intervention. For more comprehensive background on this critical period, explore the Little Rock Nine at the National Archives.
Key Figures and Events
The following table summarizes the primary actions and individuals involved in the initial phase of the Little Rock Crisis:
| Event/Action | Date | Key Figure | Role/Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Guard Deployment | Sept 2, 1957 | Orval Faubus | Arkansas Governor; ordered troops to block students |
| Attempted School Entry | Sept 4, 1957 | The Little Rock Nine | African American students seeking to integrate Central High |
| Federal Intervention | Sept 24, 1957 | President Dwight D. Eisenhower | Dispatched federal troops to enforce desegregation |
Impact and Legacy
Governor Faubus's actions escalated the desegregation crisis in Little Rock from a local issue to a major national confrontation. His defiance ultimately led President Dwight D. Eisenhower to dispatch federal troops—the 101st Airborne Division—to Little Rock to protect the Little Rock Nine and ensure their entry into Central High School. This unprecedented federal intervention underscored the federal government's commitment to upholding the Supreme Court's desegregation ruling and marked a significant moment in the struggle for civil rights in the United States.
