Une révolution presque sereine : la déségrégation des écoles à Washington en 1954

The Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka of 17 May 1954, which declares segregation in public schools unconstitutional, was poorly received in the Southern states. In the federal capital, however, several factors contributed to a swift and smooth transition from this historic...

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Main Author: Ludivine Gilli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Association Française d'Etudes Américaines 2024-12-01
Series:Transatlantica
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.openedition.org/transatlantica/23471
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author Ludivine Gilli
author_facet Ludivine Gilli
author_sort Ludivine Gilli
collection DOAJ
description The Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka of 17 May 1954, which declares segregation in public schools unconstitutional, was poorly received in the Southern states. In the federal capital, however, several factors contributed to a swift and smooth transition from this historically entrenched dual system towards desegregation. Led by a determined president, the federal government set the tone by requiring immediate action from local authorities. The dual school system was decidedly unequal, and segregation had become a clear obstacle to the resolution of its structural dysfunctions. Beginning in 1947, parents and civic organizations protested relentlessly in the streets and in the courts, after local activists had obtained the end of segregated theaters as early as 1946. No major unrest ensued, which alleviated concerns and contributed to making full desegregation appear inevitable. In this favorable context, civic organizations and authorities worked early to prepare for the implementation of desegregation in Washington D.C.’s school, which resulted in a peaceful transition.
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spelling doaj-art-126480f4bc75410d91998ca78a6502212025-01-30T10:48:19ZengAssociation Française d'Etudes AméricainesTransatlantica1765-27662024-12-01210.4000/134gaUne révolution presque sereine : la déségrégation des écoles à Washington en 1954Ludivine GilliThe Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka of 17 May 1954, which declares segregation in public schools unconstitutional, was poorly received in the Southern states. In the federal capital, however, several factors contributed to a swift and smooth transition from this historically entrenched dual system towards desegregation. Led by a determined president, the federal government set the tone by requiring immediate action from local authorities. The dual school system was decidedly unequal, and segregation had become a clear obstacle to the resolution of its structural dysfunctions. Beginning in 1947, parents and civic organizations protested relentlessly in the streets and in the courts, after local activists had obtained the end of segregated theaters as early as 1946. No major unrest ensued, which alleviated concerns and contributed to making full desegregation appear inevitable. In this favorable context, civic organizations and authorities worked early to prepare for the implementation of desegregation in Washington D.C.’s school, which resulted in a peaceful transition.https://journals.openedition.org/transatlantica/23471civil rightsintegrationhopeWashington DCdesegregationschools
spellingShingle Ludivine Gilli
Une révolution presque sereine : la déségrégation des écoles à Washington en 1954
Transatlantica
civil rights
integration
hope
Washington DC
desegregation
schools
title Une révolution presque sereine : la déségrégation des écoles à Washington en 1954
title_full Une révolution presque sereine : la déségrégation des écoles à Washington en 1954
title_fullStr Une révolution presque sereine : la déségrégation des écoles à Washington en 1954
title_full_unstemmed Une révolution presque sereine : la déségrégation des écoles à Washington en 1954
title_short Une révolution presque sereine : la déségrégation des écoles à Washington en 1954
title_sort une revolution presque sereine la desegregation des ecoles a washington en 1954
topic civil rights
integration
hope
Washington DC
desegregation
schools
url https://journals.openedition.org/transatlantica/23471
work_keys_str_mv AT ludivinegilli unerevolutionpresquesereineladesegregationdesecolesawashingtonen1954