13th Amendment-Abolishing Slavery: The Plessy Vs. Ferguson

Words: 357
Pages: 2
Open Document
13th amendment- abolishing slavery, passed on 1/31/1865 and ratified 10/6/1865.
14th- amendment-granted citizenship and equality for all United State citizens, ratified 7/9/1968.

The Plessy v. Ferguson is Supreme Court case that supported racial segregation and the "separate but equal" doctrine. The incident took place on June 7, 1892. Homer Plessy a mixed Louisiana native purchased a first class ticket on the East Louisiana Railway from New Orleans to Covington, however he sat in a coach seat designated for whites. The laws of Louisiana states as a common carrier, the railway was not authorized to distinguish between citizens according to their race. Plessy was asked to occupy another seat, one in which a white person wouldn't sit. He refused and was not only thrown off the train but also thrown into jail. The railway company states that seats are assignment to passengers by compartment and race. They also state that they have the right to refuse a passenger who doesn't comply with their rules. Since the passenger is not complying, the railway …show more content…
The court reasoning for their decision was that this case was a legal distinction not race driven therefore it doesn't conflict with the 13th amendment. To avoid discussion about the 14th amendment the court states that actions of the police were justified under state laws.

This case has a political impact, it proves how the "separate but equal" doctrine was a joke to African Americans. Whites tried to make it seem like African Americans were equal to whites but this was a prime example of why that was a lie. Whites still were still in control and made their own rules despite laws, rights, liberties, and the constitution. This case is significant because if it was not over turned in 1954 by the Brown v. Board of Education we as African American would still be fighting this ridiculous fight over our race. We would still be looked down upon and treated
Show More

Related Documents: 13th Amendment-Abolishing Slavery: The Plessy Vs. Ferguson

Homer Plessy Vs. Ferguson Case

Homer Plessy was a 1/8th black american who was born and raised in Louisiana. On June 7th 1892 Homer Plessy purchased a first class railway ticket from New Orleans to Covington and knowingly boarded the whites train. When he was asked to leave he stayed thus resulting in arrest. He began by attempting to sue the state for an unlawful arrest. He lost this cause and began a Supreme Court case stating that separate but equal laws were ill-fitting and unconstitutional. In this case the three main points…

Words 673 - Pages 3

Slavery: Abolishing Segregation In The United States

are not equal to…’(Martin Luther King). Slavery has been existing in North America from the 1620’s to the 1860’s and has been a very important part of the United States’ development. It nearly took 240 years for us to recognize that just because slavery was effective, doesn’t mean that it is morally right. Even after the 13th amendment was passed, abolishing slavery, there was still tension between the races. If it weren’t for people like Homer Plessy, who was willing to disobey the law and go…

Words 1225 - Pages 5

The Brown Vs. Board Of Education Case

the Brown vs. Board of Education was one of the most famous court cases regarding segregation in schools. It was a well known Supreme Court case decision made in Topeka, Kansas, stating that racial segregation in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. The Brown vs. Board of Education case had put the Constitution on the side of racial equality. The 14th amendment was adopted on July 9th, 1868 as one of the reconstruction amendments, strengthening…

Words 586 - Pages 3

Essay on Reconstruction After Civil War

physically, economically and politically from the damage of the Civil War. It was an effort to rebuild southern states and also to restore the Union. During this time period, the federal government passed a series of laws, acts and amendments to bring change. Many of these amendments guaranteed the equal rights to African-Americans. Yet, the question was still that is reconstruction successful? The topic of reconstruction is still very debatable even today. Although there are more facts that would prove…

Words 1508 - Pages 7

Essay On Failure Of Reconstruction

African Americans were freed by the Thirteenth Amendment but gained little thereafter. The defeated Southern States were bitter and resentful and determined to keep African Americans as near slavery as possible. Most Southern States passed "Black Codes that severely restricted the rights of African Americans. Although they were guaranteed civil rights under the Fourteenth Amendment, their rights were violated with abandon. Blacks were forced to use separate facilities…

Words 1199 - Pages 5