White Backlash: Resistance to Civil Rights — Reading Comprehension

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s faced strong resistance from many white Americans, a phenomenon historians call white backlash. As African Americans demanded an end to segregation and fought for equal rights, some white individuals and groups responded with anger, fear, and opposition. Understanding this resistance is crucial for analyzing the struggle for justice in the United States.

One major cause of white backlash was the belief among some white Americans that their social status and traditions were threatened. When the Supreme Court declared school segregation unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), many white parents worried about integrated schools. Politicians in several southern states promised to fight these changes. For example, Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus blocked African American students from entering Little Rock Central High School in 1957. He argued that, “the people of Arkansas will not submit to forceful integration.” This quote shows how some leaders used the language of ‘states’ rights’ to resist federal laws.

White backlash took both legal and illegal forms. Some state legislatures passed new laws to delay or avoid desegregation. Other times, individuals joined groups such as the White Citizens’ Councils or the Ku Klux Klan, which used violence and intimidation. Bombings of Black churches, threats against activists, and economic pressure on supporters of integration were common tactics. These actions were meant to discourage civil rights activism and maintain the racial status quo.

Not all white Americans supported backlash. Many joined the Civil Rights Movement as allies, believing in justice and equality. However, the backlash was powerful enough to slow progress and create new challenges. The federal government sometimes hesitated to act, fearing unrest or political consequences. This conflict between local resistance and national reform made it difficult to enforce new civil rights laws.

The problem of white backlash highlights the complexity of social change. Some people saw civil rights as a threat, while others saw them as a promise of a better, fairer nation. The Civil Rights Movement responded by using nonviolent protest, public demonstrations, and legal challenges to show the injustice of segregation. Over time, national attention to violent backlash—such as the attack on marchers in Selma, Alabama—helped convince more Americans that change was necessary.

From a historian’s point of view, white backlash was not simply about personal prejudice but was also connected to deeper fears about power and identity. The events of this era show that every advance in rights often meets resistance from those who benefit from the old system. Today, historians study primary sources like speeches, letters, and photographs to understand these conflicts. The struggle over civil rights teaches us that progress can be slow and uneven, but also that persistent activism can overcome even strong resistance.

Interesting Fact: In 1963, Governor George Wallace of Alabama stood in a schoolhouse door to block Black students from enrolling, declaring, “Segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever.” This event became a symbol of white resistance to integration.

What is white backlash?

Who blocked integration at Little Rock in 1957?

Which group used violence to resist change?

Why did some white Americans resist civil rights?

What effect did violent backlash have?

What is the significance of Selma?

Not all white Americans supported the backlash.

What does 'status quo' mean?