The 1950s Primary Sources
Historical documents. What clues can you gather about the time, place, players, and culture?
First Inaugural Address
Eisenhower's first inaugural address, January 20th, 1953.
The Little Rock Crisis Speech
This is the text of a speech that Eisenhower gave to the nation on September 24th, 1957, about the school desegregation crisis in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Executive Order 10730: Little Rock Nine
In a less-than-classy move, Arkansas refused to enforce federal court orders to integrate public schools in Little Rock, so Eisenhower sent in the troops.
The Civil Rights Act of 1957
Aimed at guaranteeing voting rights for African Americans, this law was made ineffectual by amendments added in Congress.
Reaction to Sputnik
Eisenhower's radio and television address on science in national security, November 7th, 1957.