American Government / Unit 3 Gov 125 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
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The idea
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) allowed "separate but equal" racial segregation under the equal protection clause.
In practice
The ruling gave constitutional cover to Jim Crow — state and local segregation law across the South.
Where people slip
The decision stood for fifty-eight years as the clause's controlling reading.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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