Eisenhower Civil Rights Essay

President Dwight D. Eisenhower was instrumental in developing civil rights for African-American people as he was the foundation for legislation surrounding the movement. He was fundamental in creating legislation for basic rights for African-Americans and became the minimum standard of what Presidents should do surrounding the movement.
Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Act of 1957, which was the first of civil rights legislation passed by Congress since the Civil Rights Act of 1875. Eisenhower was forced to intervene with the military during the Little Rock Crisis of 1957, making a sagacious decision that both avoided combat and exercised control over the situation. Eisenhower was also instrumental in legislation surrounding the movement

Eisenhower was forced to take action after issuing a proclamation that was ignored. He needed to avoid bloodshed and fighting while maintaining control over the situation and ensuring the students were able to attend to their education. To meet these needs, Eisenhower federalised the Arkansas National Guard and sent troops and reinforcements from the 101st Airborne Division to the Little Rock Central High School to try and keep peace. This action furthered the civil rights movement as it demonstrated the government would enforce legislation surrounding the movement. This action also inspired African-Americans to continue campaigning for rights as the integration of schools and Crisis was a result of opposing racial segregation. The troops protected the 9 students who were harassed by the white community in Arkansas to attend school, displaying Eisenhower’s efforts to ensure the African-American community was reaching suitable education. The Little Rock Crisis attracted national and global attention and Eisenhower’s actions were fundamental in the civil rights movement, as it showed that African-American students will be allowed to seek a better education, fuelling their desire for civil rights. His actions also showed that the federal

This act closed loopholes left in the Civil Rights Act of 1960 and extended powers and more freedoms to African American people. The Act provided more power to the Civil Rights Commission allowing members of the commission to take statements and oaths from witnesses. This allowed for easier persecution, investigation, and action to be taken in matters involving the civil rights movement. The Act also reiterates that all who have been given the legal right to vote shall not be deprived of this right on the basis of colour or race. It states a person obstructing someone’s legal right to vote shall face the “constitute contempt of court”. “The Act allows African-Americans to exercise their right to vote without the fear of being attacked” (Wikipedia, 2018). This was fundamental to the movement as it inspired hope in African-Americans, and showed success as a result of their campaigning against their injustices. The Act redefines the word ‘vote’ as being the entire process of a ballot being registered, cast, and counted. This Act established punishments for individuals who discouraged someone’s endeavour to vote and allowed for federal inspection of voting registrations. By enacting this legislation, Eisenhower set an example for future Presidents to