Plessy vs. Ferguson

Background

• the separate car act was passed in 1890
• blacks and whites had to be in separate train cars
• anyone who broke the law had to pay $25 or spend 20 days in prison
• group of African Americans raised money to challenge the law 

Homer Plessy

• shoemaker
• 1/8 black
• man chosen to sit on the "white car"
• purchased first class ticket to sit in the white car
• arrested by the railroad officials for breaking the law

Plessy's Case

• arrest was a violation of the 13th and 14th amendmant
• 13th amendment: ban against slavery
• 14th amendment: equal protection of all citizens
• judge John Furguson found Plessy guilty because train never left the state

Supreme Court

• Ferguson's judgement was repealed and went to the supreme court
• the supreme court ruled that Ferguson's ruling was constitutional
• so came the phrase "separate but equal"

Works Cited Page

• http://www.streetlaw.org