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Understanding Plessy v. Ferguson

Total questions: 10

Worksheet time: 4mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What was the legal basis of Homer Plessy's challenge in Plessy v. Ferguson?

a)

Segregation in schools

b)

Segregation on railroad passenger cars

c)

Voting rights discrimination

d)

Employment discrimination

2.

According to the majority opinion, what was the primary purpose of the Fourteenth Amendment?

a)

To abolish distinctions based on color

b)

To enforce social equality

c)

To ensure political equality

d)

To establish equal educational opportunities

3.

Who authored the majority opinion in the Plessy v. Ferguson case?

a)

John Marshall Harlan

b)

Thurgood Marshall

c)

Henry B. Brown

d)

Homer Plessy

4.

What doctrine did the Supreme Court uphold in its decision on Plessy v. Ferguson?

a)

Separate but equal

b)

Integration

c)

Racial purity

d)

Civil disobedience

5.

According to Justice Harlan's dissent, what did he argue about the Constitution?

a)

It supports segregation

b)

It is color-blind

c)

It enforces social inequalities

d)

It favors the dominant race

6.

What historical case did Justice Harlan reference in his dissent to argue against the majority's decision?

a)

Dred Scott v. Sandford

b)

Brown v. Board of Education

c)

Marbury v. Madison

d)

McCulloch v. Maryland

7.

What year was the Plessy v. Ferguson decision made?

a)

1865

b)

1896

c)

1954

d)

1964

8.
  • What did the majority opinion argue regarding the facilities provided under segregation laws?

a)

They were rarely equal

b)

They were always equal

c)

They enforced political equality

d)

They abolished color distinctions

9.

According to Justice Harlan, what did state legislation based on race lead to?

a)

Civil rights advancements

b)

Social harmony

c)

Servitude and degradation

d)

Economic prosperity

10.

What was the long-term impact of the Plessy v. Ferguson decision on American society?

a)

It led to the immediate end of segregation

b)

It reinforced segregation laws for decades

c)

It was overturned within a year

d)

It had no significant impact