Plessy v. Ferguson

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Plessy v. Ferguson

• 1896

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Explain how the Supreme Court justified the
practice of segregating railroad passengers in
Louisiana by race.

• The majority opinion of the Supreme Court claimed
  that the Fourteenth Amendment aimed to establish
  the equality of the races, but was not intended
  to abolish distinctions based on color or to
  enforce social equality. Furthermore, they
  stated the Louisiana law was ureasonable because
  states could legally segregate the races in the
  exercise of their police powers.

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What is the meaning of the separate-but-equal
principle?

• The separate-but-equal principle means
  segregation is legal as long as equal facilities
  are provided for each race.

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On what grounds did Justice Harlan criticize the
majoritys ruling?

• Justice Harlan dissented from the majority
  opinion on the grounds that segregation based on
  race was inconsistent with the freedoms and
  equality established by the Constitution.

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Why do you think Plessy based his appeal in part
on the Thirteenth Amendment?

• Plessy based his appeal in part on the Thirteenth
  Amendment because it banned involuntary
  servitude, and segregation of railroad cars was
  a form of such servitude.

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What do you think was the effect of the Plessy
decision on the nation, especially on the
southern states?

• The Plessy decision affirmed the legality of
  segregation practices in the southern states.
  Although the Courts decision required equality
  of public facilities, the southern states made no
  effort to carry out this requirement.

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