Date of Award
12-3-2019
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
History
First Advisor
John Kirk
Abstract
The United States of America experienced many changes between April 1861 and April 1961. The study of historical events during this time period is elevated when an individual family can be placed within the context of these events. The Civil War and the Central High Crisis are two events documented through the eyes of the Toombs family of Little Rock, Arkansas. Providing a personal glimpse of one family’s journey through this time period of American life adds to the collective knowledge of these historical events. It offers an alternate viewpoint of interpretation of the impact of these events on the collective conscience of America. It lifts the stories of individuals to a platform visible from many angles, allowing a group or individual to personalize history. Richard Toombs served in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War. His grandsons, Willie and Preston Toombs, were part of the legal quest for integration of Little Rock public schools. A granddaughter of Willie, born on the one hundred year anniversary of the start of the Civil War, tells the family story.
Recommended Citation
Stewart, Rhonda, "From the Civil War to Central High School the Legacy of Richard Toombs" (2019). Theses and Dissertations. 902.
https://research.ualr.edu/etd/902
