The 1896 Supreme Court case that upheld the constitutionality of state laws requiring racial segregation under the doctrine of “separate but equal” is a pivotal concept in United States history curricula. This ruling originated from an incident involving Homer Plessy, who challenged a Louisiana law mandating segregated railway cars. This legal challenge ultimately solidified discriminatory practices across the American South and beyond.
The significance of this Supreme Court decision lies in its codification of racial inequality for nearly six decades. It provided legal justification for Jim Crow laws, impacting access to education, transportation, public facilities, and other aspects of life for African Americans. Understanding this case is crucial to comprehending the Civil Rights Movement and the subsequent fight for desegregation.
