CommonLit Plessy vs. Ferguson Supreme Court Case Quiz

What was the main issue challenged in the Plessy vs. Ferguson Supreme Court case?

• The legality of slavery

• Racial segregation in public areas

• Voting rights for African Americans

• Women's rights

How long had amendments prohibiting slavery been part of the U.S. Constitution by the time of the Plessy vs. Ferguson case?

• 10 years

• 25 years

• 50 years

• 100 years

What was the outcome of the Plessy vs. Ferguson case regarding racial segregation?

• It was declared unconstitutional

• It was upheld as long as facilities were equal

• It led to immediate desegregation

• It had no significant impact

In what year did Homer Plessy buy a first-class train ticket to challenge Louisiana's segregation laws?

• 1890

• 1892

• 1896

• 1900

What was the primary argument made by Plessy's lawyers against the Louisiana law mandating rail car segregation?

• It was not applicable to the state-specific laws.

• It violated the 14th Amendment by not providing equal protection under the law.

• It only applied to public schools.

• It was supported by all courts.

What was the key issue regarding the train cars in the Plessy case as per the state of Louisiana?

• The train cars were of different colors.

• The train cars were of the same quality and therefore met the equal protection requirement.

• The train cars were used interchangeably by all races.

• The train cars were all operated by the state.

Which Justice wrote a dissenting opinion on the Supreme Court's decision in Plessy v. Ferguson?

• Justice John Marshall Harlan

• Justice Louis Brandeis

• Justice Clarence Thomas

• Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

What long-term effect did Justice Harlan predict from the Plessy v. Ferguson decision?

• It would encourage racial integration.

• It would have no significant impact.

• It would set a precedent of segregation across the country.

• It would be quickly overturned.

What was the primary legal status of segregation before the Brown v. Board of Education decision?

• It was illegal in all states.

• It was discouraged but not illegal.

• It was legally recognized and established.

• It was only present in private sectors.

Which of the following was NOT true about the Jim Crow laws according to the text?

• They led to segregated train cars.

• They required literacy tests for voting.

• They provided equal funding for black and white schools.

• They included background checks for voter registration.