In response to southern resistance to desegregate schools, President Dwight D. Eisenhower took a firm stance to uphold the law and protect the rights of African American students. Eisenhower believed in enforcing the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. He sought to end racial segregation in schools and promote equal educational opportunities for all children.
In 1957, when the state of Arkansas resisted the integration of Little Rock Central High School, Eisenhower took decisive action. He sent federal troops from the 101st Airborne Division to enforce the desegregation order and protect the African American students known as the "Little Rock Nine." This move, known as the "Little Rock Crisis," demonstrated Eisenhower's commitment to upholding the rule of law and preventing the defiance of federal court orders.
Additionally, Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957 into law, the first federal civil rights legislation since the Reconstruction era. This act aimed to protect the voting rights of African Americans and established the United States Commission on Civil Rights to investigate issues related to racial discrimination.
While some critics argued that Eisenhower's response was not forceful enough, his actions marked a significant step in the federal government's involvement in promoting civil rights and desegregation in the United States. His firm stance and commitment to upholding the law paved the way for further progress in the civil rights movement.
I hope this helped!
~~~Harsha~~~