Topic 2: The impact of Supreme Court cases Flashcards
when were the Slaughter-House Cases?
1873
details of the Slaughter-House Cases?
ruled that the 14A was not intended to ‘transfer the security and protection’ of civil rights ‘from the states to the federal government’
significance of the Slaughter House Cases?
gave states license to enact Jim Crow laws and indicates to BA that the federal gov won’t help them
what year were the Five Civil Rights Cases?
1883
what did the Five Civil Rights Cases review?
reviewed cases of the 1875 Civil Rights Act where BA had sued hotels, theatres and transportation companies
what did the Five Civil Rights Cases rule?
that the 1875 CR Act was unconstitutional and that freed slaves would no longer be ‘a special favourite of the laws’
significance of the Five Civil Rights Cases?
- upholds segregation and further promotes sates’ rights
- leads to further discrimination against BA
did any of the SC Justices dissent to the ruling of the Five Civil Rights Cases?
only 1 - Justice Harlan
when was Plessy vs. Ferguson?
1896
what did Plessy vs. Ferguson ruel?
that separate but equal facilities on public transportation didn’t violate the 14th Amendment
what was the significance of the ruling of Plessy vs. Ferguson?
- led to more segregation laws as was clear the SC would not stop it
- led to unequal facilities for BA as the SC did nothing to enforce the ‘equal’ part
when was Mississippi vs. Williams?
1898
what did Williams challenge in Mississippi vs Williams?
he challenged the voting qualifications in the 1890 Mississippi Convention
what was the outcome of Mississippi vs Williams?
SC ruled that literacy tests and poll tax was not discriminatory
what was the significance of Mississippi vs. Williams?
- upheld black disenfranchisement
- conformed that the fed gov didn’t have interest or resources to enforce black voting, even if it wanted to
when was Cumming vs Board of Education?
1899
what brought about Cumming vs Board of Education?
Georgia county had stopped funding a black high school while continuing to fund a white high school- Cumming and other litigants said this challenged the 14th Amendment
what was the result of Cumming vs. Board of Education?
SC upheld that this was not discriminatory, did not contradict 14A
what was the significance of Cumming vs. Board of Education?
- SC had approved segregated and unequal schools - impacted generations of BA and their opportunities
- reflects attitudes of justices and society as a whole - that BA only needed a limited education
what were all of the SC cases and their years?
Slaughter House Cases 1873
Five Civil Rights Cases 1883
Plessy vs Ferguson 1896
Mississippi vs. Williams 1898
Cumming vs. Board of Education 1899
