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Lesson

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Guiding question

Evaluate the degree to which each of the following informed the ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson : custom, precedent, and understanding of federalism.

Grade
9–12
Published
Nov 5, 2020
The United States Supreme Court building with columns and statues under a blue sky.
Case background and primary documents concerning Plessy v. Ferguson. Dealing with the principle of Equal Protection, this lesson asks students to evaluate the degree to which custom, precedent, and understanding of federalism informed the ruling in the case.

Founding Principles

Equal Protection, Equality, Liberty

Virtues

Justice

Materials

Documents you will examine:

  1. The Declaration of Independence, 1776
  2. Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, 1787
  3. The Constitution of the United States, 1789
  4. The Tenth Amendment, 1791
  5. Thomas Jefferson to Henri Gregoire, 1809
  6. Argument of John Quincy Adams, Amistad Case, 1841
  7. “The American Declaration of Independence Illustrated,” 1861
  8. Section of The Fourteenth Amendment, 1868
  9. Civil Rights Cases, 1883
  10. Final Judgment, Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896
  11. Majority Opinion (6-1), Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896
  12. Dissenting Opinion, Plessy v. Ferguson, 1896
  13. “At the Bus Station,” 1940

Lesson Components

ActivityEqual Protection and Affirmative Action Essay – Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
ActivityPlessy v. Ferguson – Case Background
ActivityDocuments to Examine (A-M) – Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
ActivityThe Issue Endures – Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
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