Question

How did the Supreme Court’s ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) impact racial segregation in the United States?
A. It declared segregation unconstitutional, leading to immediate desegregation in the South.
B. It established the “separate but equal” doctrine, legalizing racial segregation for decades.
C. It strengthened Reconstruction policies, ensuring equal rights for African Americans.
D. It only applied to transportation laws and had little effect on other aspects of society.

Answer 1

B. It established the “separate but equal” doctrine, legalizing racial segregation for decades.

Explanation: In Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) the Supreme Court upheld state laws requiring racial segregation (starting with train cars), ruling that separate facilities for blacks and whites were constitutional so long as they were equal. This decision legitimized widespread segregation across public life until it was overturned by Brown v. Board of Education (1954).