Dwight D. Eisenhower's comments on the Supreme Court's decision, and desegregation 1956-08-19
Dwight D. Eisenhower Papers
Ann Whitman, Dwight D. Eisenhower's secretary describes a telephone conversation between Eisenhower and the Attorney General, Herbert Brownell, regarding the Supreme Court's decision (Brown v. Board of Education) and segregation.
According to Whitman, Eisenhower explicitly tells Brownell to not say "the Eisenhower Administration" have supported the Supreme Court in the desegregation business, before Brownell's brief before the Supreme Court. Eisenhower wanted Brownell to appear as a lawyer, not apart of the Eisenhower Administration.
This demonstrates Eisenhower's "middle of the road" approach to civil rights issues, and this becomes a predecessor to how Eisenhower would deal with the "Mansfield Crisis" a few weeks later.
Dwight D. Eisenhower’s comments on segregation, August 19, 1956, Eisenhower Dwight D.: Papers as President of the United States, 1953-61 (Ann Whitman File), Ann Whitman Diary Series, Box 8, Aug. '56 (1), Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
1956-08-19
Allan Shivers to a friend 1956-09-28
letter
Allan Shivers writes to a friend that he'll campaign for Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1956 presidential election. Shivers states that Eisenhower has fulfilled his promises for returning the tidelands and ending the war in Korea, and those were political issues that Shivers felt strongly about. This demonstrates Shivers continual support for Eisenhower.
Letter from Allan Shivers to a friend, September 28, 1956, Dwight D. Eisenhower Library, Central Files, Presidents Personal Files (PPF 606), Box 954, Shivers, Hon. Allan, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas.
1956-09-28
Sherman Adams on Allan Shivers becoming a potential Vice-President candidate for the Eisenhower administration 1956-04-16
letter
Sherman Adams, the White House Chief of Staff suggest that Allan Shivers is a potential Vice-President candidate for the Eisenhower administration in the 1956 presidential election. This demonstrates the political influence of Shivers.
Allan Shivers as possible vice president candidate for the 1956 presidential campaign, April 16, 1956, Eisenhower, Dwight D.: Records as President, 1952-61, General File, Shivers Allan, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas.
1956-04-16
Telegram from Texas Citizen to White House 1958-07-24
telegram
One Texan describes how Allan Shivers would be fit for the position of Chief of Staff of the White House, since Shivers is a statesmen and could handle the problems that arrive in the White House. This demonstrates Shivers political influence among Texans.
Telegram from TX citizen suggesting Shivers to succeed the current Chief of Staff, June 24, 1958, Eisenhower, Dwight D.: Records as President, 1952-61, General File, Shivers Allan, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas.
1958-06-24
State of the Union comments by cabinet members 1955-12-02
State of the Union Message comments
Several cabinet members discuss school segregation, the Brown decision, African American voting, and other civil rights issues. This demonstrates the cabinet members thoughts and perceptions of the current civil rights issues in the country.
State of the Union Message comments by Cabinet Members, December 2, 1955, Eisenhower, Dwight D.: Papers as President of the United States, 1953-61 (Ann Whitman File), Speech Series, Box 14, State of the Union Jan. 1956 (3), Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas.
1955-12-02
State of the Union Speech 1956-01
State of the Union
Dwight D. Eisenhower discusses progress on the civil rights subject. Eisenhower claims that discrimination is "disappearing" in pubic facilities, and now every citizen has an equal opportunity to serve it's country. This demonstrates Eisenhower's perception on the progress of civil rights among African Americans.
State of the Union speech on civil rights issues, January 1956, Eisenhower, Dwight D.: Papers as President of the United States, 1953-61 (Ann Whitman File), Speech Series, Box 14, State of the Union Jan. 1956 (1), Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas.
1956-01
Pre-Press Conference Notes 1956-09-11
Press Conference
The pre-press conference discussed segregation. President Eisenhower had report on the "matters in Texas", and asked the Attorney General, Herbert Brownell to look into it. This demonstrates that the school integration issues were known nationwide.
Pre-Press Conference Notes on segregation, September 11, 1956, Eisenhower, Dwight D.: Papers as President of the United States, 1953-1961 (Ann Whitman File), Press Conference Series, Box 5, Press Conference 9/11/56, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
1956-09-11
Press Conference 1956-09-11
Press Conference
During this press conference a number of reporters ask about school segregation, particularly for Texas, due to the recent conflict that took place in Texarkana. President Eisenhower maintains a "middle of the road" approach as these questions are being asked. Eisenhower. This demonstrates Eisenhower attitude towards segregation, and how he reacted to questions on the subject of segregation.
Press Conference on segregation and civil rights pg. 6-14, September 11, 1956, Eisenhower, Dwight D.: Papers as President of the United States, 1953-61 (Ann Whitman File), Press Conference Series, Box 5, Press Conference 9/11/56, Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library
1956-09-11
Herbert Brownell to Robyn Ladino 1992-11-23
letter
The Attorney General of the Eisenhower Administration shares his recollection to Robyn Ladino on the "Mansfield Crisis" almost 40 years later.
Letter from Herbert Brownell to Robyn Ladino, November 23, 1992, Brownell, Herbert Jr.: Additional Papers, 1897-1996, Box 7, La (4), Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas.
1992-11-23
Robyn Ladino to Herbert Brownell 1992-11-21
letter
Robyn Ladino, author of "Desegregating Texas Schools: Eisenhower, Shivers, and the Crisis at Mansfield High" asks the Attorney General, Herbert Brownell some questions about the events that led to the crisis, and the crisis itself.
Letter from Robyn Ladino to Herbert Brownell on "Mansfield Crisis", November 21, 1992, Brownell, Herbert Jr.: Additional Papers, 1897-1996, Box 7, La (4), Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene, Kansas.
1992-11-21