Final answer:
The primary method of resisting school integration in the South was 'massive resistance,' which entailed closing schools, establishing white-only private academies, and using legal and procedural tactics to delay integration. Although there was staunch opposition, over time, civil rights activism and federal enforcement of court decisions facilitated a gradual process of desegregation in schools.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary method of resisting school integration in the South among whites was through a strategy known as massive resistance. This included various tactics such as passing laws to close public schools rather than integrate, establishing private academies for white students, legal challenges in the state legislatures and courts, and stalling tactics like procedural delays. Despite these efforts, the federal government enforced Supreme Court decisions, and over time, school integration did proceed, although some areas implemented it more slowly and reluctantly than others.
Especially in Virginia, leaders practiced massive resistance by shutting down schools for years rather than complying with desegregation. Although court orders were put in place to integrate schools, they were often met with challenges and opposition.
Moreover, hostile groups formed to obstruct integration, taking appearance as community organizations, but they intended to defer the integration process. Despite such resistance, grassroots activism and the insistence of civil rights leaders eventually triumphed, pushing forward a gradual process of desegregation.