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Plessy Vs. Ferguson Case In The 19th Century

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The Gilded age was a period of time, from 1865-1901 after the Civil War, when the economy switched from agricultural to industrial. During this age two famous American cases each set premises for the future. Plessy vs. Ferguson was a case in 19th century America that challenged the 13th and 14th Amendments. Louisana just passed the Separate Car Act of 1890 which stated that trains had to provide separate but equal accommodations for passengers. Homer Plessy who was 1/8th black bought a ticket for the white only section on the train to challenge this act. After Homer was arrested and went to trial, the Judge Ferguson and the supreme court judge ruled that the “separate but equal” policy did not violate the 14th amendment as long as the accommodations were legally and politically equal, they did not have to be socially …show more content…

Myra Bradwell wanted to become a lawyer in Illinois and had all the requirements yet when she applied, the state court declined her application because she was a women. Then the supreme court ruled that Illinois did not violate the 14th Amendment because the right to be a lawyer is not one of the privileges protected by this Amendment. These cases represent something further than just the court decisions they embody the general Americans opinion towards equality. Obviously they wanted segregation at the time because they jumped on the opportunity to do so. But for women, they prevented one from being able to work in “male” profession but continued to fight for their rights and eventually reach equilibrium. The famous Plessy vs. Ferguson case is a symbol of American intolerance and oppression because the “separate but equal” principle created a benchmark for racial segregation but American democracy and progress is illustrated in women’s desire for equal opportunity when Bradwell applied to be a lawyer in the case Bradwell vs

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