Plessy vs Ferguson
Who was involved? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affecting by this event.
Plessy vs Ferguson was a landmark legal case that took place in the United States in 1896. The case involved two main parties:
1. Homer Plessy: He was a Louisiana resident of mixed racial ancestry, primarily African American, who purposely violated the state's segregation laws. Plessy boarded a "whites-only" railcar to test the constitutionality of segregation laws based on the 14th Amendment.
2. John H. Ferguson: He was the judge presiding over the case in a Louisiana court. Ferguson was responsible for rendering the final decision in the case.
Apart from these key individuals, several other groups were involved or affected by the case:
1. Citizens and communities: The case had implications for citizens across the United States, particularly African Americans facing racial discrimination and segregation. The court's decision impacted the lives and rights of all citizens residing in states that implemented segregation laws.
2. The Plessy Committee: A group of prominent black lawyers and activists formed the Plessy Committee to support Homer Plessy's legal defense and challenge segregation laws. This committee worked to raise funds and garner support for the case.
3. Legal and civil rights organizations: Various organizations, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), were observing the outcome of this case closely. They realized its potential impact on future civil rights challenges and continuously worked towards overturning the court's ruling.
4. State and federal governments: The case involved a significant legal interpretation of the 14th Amendment and its implications on state segregation laws. State governments had an interest in defending their segregation laws, while the federal government was monitoring the proceedings and awaiting a final verdict.
5. Supreme Court justices: The final outcome of the case rested upon the rulings and decisions made by the justices of the United States Supreme Court. All nine justices were involved in the case, as they heard arguments and ultimately rendered the majority and dissenting opinions.