Separate But Equal Doctrine Flashcards, test questions and answers
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What is Separate But Equal Doctrine?
Separate But Equal Doctrine was a legal doctrine established by the Supreme Court of the United States in 1896, which stated that segregation of certain racial groups was permissible as long as there were equal accommodations for each group. This doctrine was used to justify racial segregation in public schools, transportation, and other public places.The doctrine originated from the case Plessy v. Ferguson which argued that a Louisiana law requiring equal but separate railway cars for white and African-American passengers did not violate the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal protection clause. The court decided that this law did not violate the constitution because it provided both races with equal facilities and services.This decision set a precedent across America and led to further legislation enforcing segregation in public places and institutions such as schools, restaurants, parks, etc., until 1954 when Brown v Board of Education reversed this ruling and declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. The Separate But Equal Doctrine has been criticized for legitimizing discrimination against African Americans through its implicit acceptance of unequal treatment between different races.