Which case overturned the 'separate but equal' doctrine?

Which case overturned the 'separate but equal' doctrine?

• A. Dred Scott v Sandford
• B. Plessy v Ferguson
• C. Brown v Board of Education
• D. Marbury v Madison

Answer: (C)

The idea tested here is understanding how the Supreme Court changed its stance on racial segregation in public schools. The ruling that overturned the 'separate but equal' idea is Brown v. Board of Education. In this decision, the Court declared that segregating public schools by race is unconstitutional because separate facilities are inherently unequal, even if they appear to be the same. This overturned the earlier precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson, which had allowed segregation as long as facilities were purportedly equal. Brown also highlighted the real harms of segregation on children’s education and self-perception, using social science evidence to show that separating students by race damages learning and development. The ruling set a legal foundation for desegregation, though it took many years to implement fully, with subsequent actions like Brown II pushing for desegregation with all deliberate speed.

The idea tested here is understanding how the Supreme Court changed its stance on racial segregation in public schools. The ruling that overturned the 'separate but equal' idea is Brown v. Board of Education. In this decision, the Court declared that segregating public schools by race is unconstitutional because separate facilities are inherently unequal, even if they appear to be the same. This overturned the earlier precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson, which had allowed segregation as long as facilities were purportedly equal. Brown also highlighted the real harms of segregation on children’s education and self-perception, using social science evidence to show that separating students by race damages learning and development. The ruling set a legal foundation for desegregation, though it took many years to implement fully, with subsequent actions like Brown II pushing for desegregation with all deliberate speed.