Question

We regard the decision of the Supreme Court in the school case as a clear abuse of judicial power. It climaxes a trend in the Federal judiciary undertaking to legislate, in derogation of the authority of Congress, and to encroach upon the reserved rights of the States and the people… We pledge ourselves to use all lawful means to bring about a reversal of this decision which is contrary to the Constitution and to prevent the use of force in its implementation.

--“The Southern Manifesto,” March 12, 1956

The Southern Manifesto was signed by 101 members of Congress—all from the 11 states of the former Confederacy. This pledge reflects an attitude that affected American society by —
(1 Point)

reducing support for term limits on judges in the South

increasing the power of state officials and judges in national affairs

prolonging the practice of racial segregation in the South

decreasing interactions between state and federal government

Answer 1

The pledge reflected in the Southern Manifesto primarily indicates a commitment to resist federal integration efforts, hence it can be interpreted as:

**prolonging the practice of racial segregation in the South.**

This was a direct response to the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. The Southern Manifesto represented the southern political leaders' intent to maintain segregation and oppose federal intervention in state affairs regarding civil rights.