Massive Resistance

U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd’s political organization dominated political life in Virginia through a network of political and courthouse connections, known as the Byrd machine. It jumpstarts “massive resistance,” a group of laws and political strategy used to thwart integration efforts.

One such strategy involved the creation of foundations to support segregated, white private schools, so as to avoid integration. Pictured is a brochure for the Charlottesville Educational Foundation, 1958, purporting “freedom of choice.”

Image source: Library of Virginia