Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

What was the legal precedent set by the Supreme Court in Plessy v. Ferguson?

1. One person, one vote principle

2. Separation of church and state

3. Separate but equal facilities

4. Affirmative action policies

The correct answer is: Separate but equal facilities

In the landmark case Plessy v. Ferguson, decided in 1896, the Supreme Court established the legal precedent known as "separate but equal." This ruling upheld state laws that mandated racial segregation in public facilities, stating that as long as the separate facilities for the races were equal, their separation did not constitute discrimination under the Fourteenth Amendment. The case involved Homer Plessy, who was of mixed race, and challenged Louisiana's segregation laws. The court's decision legitimized the segregationist policies that became pervasive throughout the United States, particularly in the South, and remained in effect until it was ultimately overturned by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. The "separate but equal" doctrine contributed to the institutionalization of racial inequality and discrimination, leading to significant social and political repercussions for decades. It is critical to understand the lasting impact of this decision on American society and the legal system surrounding civil rights.