Located on the banks of the Kansas River, Topeka is the state capital. The name "Topeka" is translated as "a good place to dig potatoes" in tribal language. Topeka was founded in 1854 as a stop along a trail from Fort Leavenworth to Fort Riley in which people could cross the Kansas River. Soon, Topeka became a shipping hub for steamboats. In 1861, Topeka was named capital of Kansas, after it became the 34th state. For most people, however, Topeka would come to prominence in 1951.

That year, the city of Topeka, Kansas, was the defendant in one of the most important Supreme Court cases in the nation's history (Brown vs the Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas). In 1951, a law-suit was filed against the school board of Topeka, Kansas, by 13 families on behalf of their children. The suit called for the integration of the city's high schools that were segregated by race (African-Americans were forced to attend different schools than Whites). Federal law permitted racial segregation as long as the schools were "equal" in what they provided students. Segregated schools, however, were never equal. Schools for White students had better facilities and materials. In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that segregation of public schools was unconstitutional, and by 1955 demanded integration of all American schools "with all deliberate speed". The vague demand by the Supreme court allowed those who favored segregation to organize resistance.

What happened after Kansas became the 34th state?
1. Topeka was founded
2. Topeka became capital
3. Railroads were built through Topeka
4. It became a shipping hub
Which is NOT true about Topeka?
1. It is located on the Kansas River
2. It was founded in 1861
3. It was a once a shipping hub for steamboats
4. According to its name, it’s a good place to dig for potatoes
Why was the Brown vs Board of Education law-suit filed?
1. To ensure schools could remain segregated
2. So that Topeka could defend itself
3. So that schools would be forced to integrate
4. So that schools could make their own decisions
Segregated schools…
1. were separate and equal.
2. were separate but not equal.
3. were declared constitutional.
4. had both White and African-American students.
What best describes “all deliberate speed” as used in the final sentence?
1. It meant all schools should desegregate immediately
2. It meant schools could “take their time” in desegregating
3. It meant schools did not have the desegregate in all cases
4. The meaning is confusing and allowed for resistance
What was the effect of segregated schools?
1. White and African-American students enjoyed similar educations
2. White students and African-American students went to school together
3. Eventually schools would become integrated
4. White students had advantages over African-American students
In which of the following ways is the word “integration” used correctly?
1. I was hoping to integrate early so I’d have energy for tomorrow
2. I was hoping to enhance my lesson through the integration of technology
3. I think it shows great integration to admit when you make a mistake
4. It takes a lot of integration to walk across the rickety path without falling