Heimler's History: Brown v. Board of Education

Introduction

• Topic: Brown v. Board of Education, a required Supreme Court case for AP Government

Facts of the Case

• Nature: Series of cases consolidated into one
• Issue: Racial segregation in schools due to Jim Crow laws
• Reference Case: Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) established the "separate but equal" doctrine
• Incident: A black family tried to enroll their daughter in a nearby white school but was denied, forcing her to attend a distant black school

Constitutional Principle

• Argument: Violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment
• Lawyer: Thurgood Marshall
  • Strategy: Cited social science findings on racism
  • Claim: Separation, regardless of equality in facilities, instilled psychological damage and inferiority in black children

Supreme Court Decision

• Outcome: Unanimous decision to overturn Plessy v. Ferguson
• Opinion by Chief Justice Earl Warren:
  • Separation based on race creates feelings of inferiority among black children
  • In public education, "separate but equal" is inherently unequal

Significance of the Case

• Impact: Major judicial victory for the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s
• Challenge: Resistance from Southern states due to vague court directives
  • Phrase Used: "All deliberate speed"
  • Effect: Provided leeway for Southern states to delay integration

Conclusion

• Result: Despite being a legal victory, actual integration took time
• Additional Resources: Videos on other required cases and review packets for exam preparation

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This summary provides an overview of the key elements of Brown v. Board of Education, its historical context, its legal arguments, and its implications for civil rights in the United States.