Significance: The Plessy decision set the precedent that “separate” facilities for blacks and whites were constitutional as long as the facilities were “equal.” The Court’s opinion did not contain the phrase “separate but equal” but this doctrine gave constitutional sanction to laws designed to achieve racial segregation which was quickly extended to cover many areas of public life, such as restaurants, theatres, restrooms, and public schools. Breaking Down the Case After your group reads the case summary, answer the following questions: What is the name of the case and when was it decided? What are the underlying facts of the case? What are the questions before the Court? How did the Court rule? After reading the case summary discuss the following questions and be prepared to present your thoughts with the class. Discussion Questions: According to the Court, why don’t laws establishing separate accommodations for whites violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment? According to the Court, what was the Fourteenth Amendment intended to do? According to the Court, what role does the law play in establishing civil, political, and social equality?
Significance: The Plessy decision set the precedent that “separate” facilities for blacks and whites were constitutional as long as the facilities were “equal.” The Court’s opinion did not contain the phrase “separate but equal” but this doctrine gave constitutional sanction to laws designed to achieve racial segregation which was quickly extended to cover many areas of public life, such as restaurants, theatres, restrooms, and public schools. Breaking Down the Case After your group reads the case summary, answer the following questions: What is the name of the case and when was it decided? What are the underlying facts of the case? What are the questions before the Court? How did the Court rule? After reading the case summary discuss the following questions and be prepared to present your thoughts with the class. Discussion Questions: According to the Court, why don’t laws establishing separate accommodations for whites violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment? According to the Court, what was the Fourteenth Amendment intended to do? According to the Court, what role does the law play in establishing civil, political, and social equality?
Plessy_Majority_Handout.docx