Plessy v. Ferguson Viewing Guide
Access our Homework Help video on the Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court case and use the following lesson to follow along! Overview: How did the odious doctrine of “separate but equal” become legally permissible in the United States? In 1892, Homer Plessy, a biracial man, purposefully rode in a “white-only” railroad car to challenge the constitutionality of Louisiana’s Separate Car law. He argued that this law violated the Thirteenth and Fourteenth amendments. In a 7-1 decision, the Supreme Court ruled that the law was constitutional since it provided for separate but equal accommodations.
- When were the Thirteenth and Fourteenth amendments passed, and what did they aim to accomplish?
- What did Louisiana’s Separate Car law state?
- Who wrote the majority opinion? What arguments did the majority make to defend their decision?
- Who wrote the dissenting opinion? What arguments did he make to defend his decision?
- What Supreme Court case overturned the decision made in Plessy v. Ferguson?
- How did the decision in Plessy v. Ferguson violate the principle of equality?
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