Summarize the Supreme court case Plessy v. Ferguson and explain why segregation acceptable.
What were the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments? Did these amendments eliminate the problems faced by African Americans?
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https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-19As00/163us537
As to your second question, you might read your text materials. You can "google" the amendments yourself to find the text for each. Then "google" "jim crow laws" to find more about what happened after the amendments were passed.
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1. Plessy v. Ferguson (1896):
Plessy v. Ferguson was a significant Supreme Court case that upheld racial segregation laws, introducing the "separate but equal" doctrine. In this case, Homer Plessy, an African American man, was arrested for refusing to leave a "whites-only" railroad car in Louisiana. The case revolved around the constitutionality of segregation and whether it violated the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection clause. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the state, stating that segregation was constitutional as long as the separate facilities were equal in quality. This decision paved the way for legalized segregation and reinforced racial discrimination until it was eventually overturned in 1954 by Brown v. Board of Education.
Why segregation was considered acceptable:
During that time, proponents of segregation argued that different races should be separated to maintain social order and prevent racial conflict. They believed that providing separate facilities for different races would preserve racial purity and prevent miscegenation (interracial relationships). Supporters also argued that segregating public amenities, such as schools or transportation, was necessary due to perceived racial differences and an alleged desire for separate communities.
2. Thirteenth Amendment:
The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States. It aimed to eradicate the institution of slavery and ensure the freedom of all individuals from forced labor.
Fourteenth Amendment:
The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, granted equal protection under the law to all individuals born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves. It aimed to protect the civil rights of African Americans and provide them equal treatment, due process, and access to citizenship.
Fifteenth Amendment:
The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, granted black male citizens the right to vote. It aimed to counteract racial discrimination in voting by prohibiting the denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
However, these amendments did not fully eliminate the problems faced by African Americans. Despite their legal protections, African Americans continued to face systematic racism, discrimination, and voter suppression through various means such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and violence. It was not until the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s and 1960s that significant progress was made in securing equal rights for African Americans.
I hope this helps clarify the key points and provides guidance on how to understand these important cases and amendments. Let me know if you have any further questions!