Howard School - Plessy v. Ferguson

Separate Car Act of 1890

A law passed by Louisiana State Legislature requiring "equal, but separate" train accommodations for blacks and whites.

Citizens' Committee

An organization created to challenge the constitutionality of the Separate Car act.

Jim Crow Laws

Laws written to separate blacks and whites in public areas. This meant African Americans had unequal opportunities in housing, work, education, and government.

Homer Plessy

Plessy was a member of the Citizens' Committee that challenged the Louisiana law requiring blacks to ride in a separate car on trains. 1892. Plessy had a black and white ancestors. He was 1/8th black. He bought a first-class ticket in the whites-only car of a train. He announced to the conductor that he was black and refused to give up his seat when ordered by the conductor. He was arrested.

Civil Rights Act of 1875

Prohibited discrimination against blacks in public place, such as inns, amusement parks, and on public transportation. Declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1893.

One Drop Rule

The belief that "one drop" of black blood makes a person black.

Jim Crow Car

The separate railroad car in which blacks were forced to ride when they were traveling through the south. Often, this was where smokers and drunks (black and white) were seated. There were wooden seats, opposed to the cushioned seats in the white section.

Plessy v. Ferguson

A case in which the Supreme Court ruled that segregated, "equal but separate" public accommodations for blacks and whites did not violate the 14th amendment. This ruling made segregation legal. Some railroad companies were on Plessy's side because they paid too much to maintain separate cars.