In response to the Little Rock Central High School crisis, which action did President Eisenhower take?

• A. Federalize the Arkansas National Guard and call in troops from the 101st Airborne
• B. Declare martial law nationwide
• C. Deploy Coast Guard forces to Arkansas
• D. Order local police to handle the riot without federal involvement

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how the federal government uses its authority to enforce a court-ordered civil rights ruling when a state resists. After the Supreme Court declared that public school segregation was unconstitutional, the situation in Little Rock showed a state governor attempting to block integration. Eisenhower stepped in to uphold the ruling and protect the students by taking control of the situation at the national level. He federalized the Arkansas National Guard, removing them from state command, and sent in troops from the 101st Airborne to escort the Little Rock Nine and maintain order at Central High. This move demonstrated that the president can deploy federal military force to enforce constitutional rights when state authorities refuse to comply with federal law or court orders, rather than relying on local police or declaring martial law.