This excerpt is from a 1957 speech by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. 1

. . . For a few minutes this evening I want to speak to you about the serious situation that has arisen in Little Rock. . . .

2

In that city, under the leadership of demagogic extremists, disorderly mobs have deliberately prevented the carrying out of proper orders from a Federal Court. . . .

3

This morning the mob again gathered in front of the Central High School of Little Rock, obviously for the purpose of again preventing the carrying out of the Court’s order relating to the admission of Negro children to that school.

4

Whenever normal agencies prove inadequate to the task, and it becomes necessary for the Executive Branch of the Federal Government to use its powers and authority to uphold Federal Courts, the President’s responsibility is inescapable.

5

In accordance with that responsibility, I have today issued an Executive Order directing the use of troops under Federal authority to aid in the execution of Federal law at Little Rock, Arkansas.

Based on the excerpt from President Eisenhower’s speech, how did the historical circumstances shape his point of view?