Separate but Equal Plessey vs Ferguson and Jim

“Separate but Equal” Plessey vs. Ferguson and Jim Crow Laws

What is it? p p p The phrase “separate but equal” pertains to facilities used by blacks and whites Blacks would have to use separate facilities (schools, train cars, restrooms, parks, etc) that were equal in quality Whites used this as an excuse to exclude blacks and deny them service

Where did it come from? p States were passing laws to segregate railroads n p Homer Plessey was part of a planned challenge of this law’s constitutionality n p Separate Car Act 1892 - legally segregated common carriers (different cars for blacks and whites) Was the second challenge Arrested – Defended by Tourgee n Case: How would you defend Plessey’s rights? ? ?

Plessey vs. Ferguson p Local court determined law was Constitutional (did not violate 14 th amendment) n p Went to Louisiana State Court n p Judge: John Howard Ferguson Constitutionality upheld Supreme Court- 1896 n 8 out of 9 judges voted against Tourgee’s case p Enforced separation does not "stamp" blacks with the badge of inferiority, because both blacks and whites were treated equally under the law--in the sense that whites were forbidden to sit in a railroad car designated for blacks.

Impact p Gave the South the “green light” for segregation n Schools, restaurants, theaters, etc. In reality, facilities were not equal p Continued into the 1950 s – Brown vs. Board of Education p Nicknamed “Jim Crow Laws” p Media depiction- Remember the Titans p n http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=A 0 Knh 3 o_6 xs

Review Who was Plessey? Ferguson? p Was this an organized protest? p How did Southern society respond to this court case? p

Response to the Jim Crow Laws p Many African Americans began migrating North n p Many areas still segregated, but not to the extent of the South Lack of acceptance in some areas n NYC race riot of 1900

Great Migration p p In the 1920 s Migration to the North increased enormously Push factors: n n p Escape racial discrimination Boll weevil infestation ruined crops in the South Pull factors: n Job opportunities in the North Henry Ford – 1914 p World War I p n Drop in European immigration p Immigration Act of 1924

Great Migration Northern manufacturers in need of workers distributed rail passes p Chicago Defender promoted vision of prosperity in the North p n n n p Hazards of living in the South Job openings in the North Train schedules Statistics: ~500, 000 blacks moved North between 1915 and 1920

Review p Why was there an influx of migration to the North in the 1920 s? n Push and pull factors Who encouraged this move and how? p How did some Northerners respond? p