Important Court Cases

Question 1

Plessey v. Fergusen

Answer 1

1896 - Violated the American Constitution, Homer Plessey, 14th amendment, sat in white area of train. Separate but equal facilities.

Question 2

Smith v. Allwright

Answer 2

1944 - Texas, primary elections determined the congressional elections, black excluded from the primary elections. 15th amendment outlawed across America.

Question 3

Morgan v. Virginia

Answer 3

1946 - Inter state bus service, Irene Morgan fined $100 refusing to give up seat. Violated her constitutional rights, supreme court announced interstate segregation illegal

Question 4

Sweatt v. Painter

Answer 4

1950 - Heman Sweatt Texas Law, new law school rejected fewer teachers, book and students. Supreme court allowed the admission of Sweatt.

Question 5

Brown v. The board of Education of Topeka I

Answer 5

1954 - Forced to attend a black school 20 block, white school nearer. Supreme court announced segregation was illegal in American schools. Impossible for separate and equal.

Question 6

5 reason for Brown I

Answer 6

• End Separate but equal
• Rise in black middle class, understanding system, pressure
• Poor quality for 60 years, resources wise integrate better
• Earl Warren new Chief Judge more sympathetic to BCR

Question 7

Brown II

Answer 7

1954 - De Jure victory, no De Facto change. NAACP asked for a timetable, reply ‘all deliberate speed’ - too vague.

Question 8

Browder v. Gayle

Answer 8

1956 - Made the segregation of buses illegal