The Removal of An Obstruction of Justice

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The framework of the United States Constitution created a government in which the powers were intentionally divided into three branches of government: Legislature, Executive, and Judicial. It was thought that each branch would check the power of the other institutions. By separating the power, the framers wanted to improve the effectiveness of the government. Each of the three branches has its designated responsibilities. The executive branch is responsible for faithfully executing the law and the president is the head of the division. In the Constitution Article II Section I, it states, “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” This is the oath taken by each U.S. President before he enters into office. In order to accomplish this constitutional charge, the president must be able to order agencies to take action on his authority.

In 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower used his executive power to issue an executive order, Executive Order 10730, allowing him to enforce mandated federal court decisions. The Executive Order 10730 authorized the president to send the National Guard to assist in the desegregation of schools, specifically Central High School, in Little Rock, Arkansas (Pohlmann and Whisenhunt 157). This essay will discuss the importance of this document to the history of the nation. Why was its impact a turning point in the Civil Rights Movement? The very idea of desegregation would become forefront in the minds of the American people and stronger efforts began to end the “separate but equal” (157) status of all African Americans.

Even t...

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...ericans. It conveyed the idea of integration into the hearts and minds of the next generation. Today, even after 64 years, racial prejudice and violence has not been completely removed from the school system or society. Schools still struggle with diversity, but at least now, minority students have a chance to have their individual rights protected. There is hope for the future.

Works Cited

"Brown v. Board of Education." pbs.org. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. .

"Desegregation of Central High School." The Encyclopedia of the Arkansas History and Culture. 02 Apr. 2010. Web. 17 Feb. 2011.

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Pohlmann, Marcus D. and Linda Vallar Whisenhunt. Student's Guide to Landmark Congressional Laws on Civil Rights. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2002. Print.

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