Cooper v. Aaron 1958

Could Arkansas officials delay desegregation in Little Rock by opposing Brown?

358 U.S. 1 (1958)Judicial power

The question: Could Arkansas officials delay desegregation in Little Rock by opposing Brown?
What the Court held: No. States are bound by the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Constitution, and its decisions cannot be nullified by state officials.
The vote: 9–0
Era: The early Cold War
Read the opinion: 358 U.S. 1 (1958), full text

This page summarizes the Court’s judgment in neutral terms. The opinion, concurrences and dissents are the authority; read them for the reasoning.

Where the question came from. The events behind it.

1957

Federal troops enforce desegregation in Little Rock

September 24, 1957 · Expansion of rights

President Eisenhower federalizes the Arkansas National Guard and sends the 101st Airborne to escort nine Black students into Central High School after the governor used the Guard to block them.

Source: National Archives