Question

Describe the changes in American society between Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education decisions. Using this as an example, explain how changes in civil rights policy or other types of government policy.

Answer 1

Two of the landmark cases in the US history in terms of racial equality are Plessy vs. Ferguson and Brown vs. Board cases. While the former ensured equal facilities it also ensured that these equality is practiced separately thus supporting racial segregation, the latter declared the segregation unconstitutional and insisted on same facilities for all such as everyone studying in the same school or use the same public facility without being segregated based on race. The most important thing about these two cases are the time period in which they occurred, the former in 19^th century (1896) and the latter in the 20^th century (1954). So, it’s evident that people were becoming more civilized as they are exposed to many different cultures, people, languages and art works.

Civil Rights Movements spearheaded the need for change, a real change in the attitude of the White majority who carried their superiority complex for long. Government also made few significant policies which brought out the maturity levels of the White people in accepting and recognizing the importance of equal treatment in the society. The voting rights, same facilities for all without segregation, including everyone in the social welfare schemes etc. made sure that everyone has equal rights.

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