The 1950s Primary Sources
Historical documents. What clues can you gather about the time, place, players, and culture?
First Inaugural Address
![](https://media1.shmoop.com/media/common/off-site01.gif)
Eisenhower's first inaugural address, January 20th, 1953.
The Little Rock Crisis Speech
![](https://media1.shmoop.com/media/common/off-site01.gif)
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
![](https://media1.shmoop.com/media/common/off-site01.gif)
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
![](https://media1.shmoop.com/media/common/off-site01.gif)
Aimed at guaranteeing voting rights for African Americans, this law was made ineffectual by amendments added in Congress.
Reaction to Sputnik
![](https://media1.shmoop.com/media/common/off-site01.gif)
Eisenhower's radio and television address on science in national security, November 7th, 1957.