Topic 2 - JIM CROW
Impact of 1883 supreme court cases
1. 1875 Civil Rights Act
- Passed by congress during reconstruction period
- Intended to reinforce the 14th Amendment act and to promote racial equality
- Problem was the wording; the Supreme Court said the 14th Amendment only
applies to actions by the government, not private individuals or companies.
2. Role of US Supreme Court
- US Supreme Court limited civil rights by ruling key laws unconstitutional, such
as striking down the 1875 Civil Rights Act in 1883, which allowed private
segregation enabling laws such as the JC laws
3. 1883 Cases
- A group of five separate cases heard together by the U.S. Supreme Court.
- All involved African Americans being denied equal access to public places (e.g.
theatres & transport).
- The cases challenged whether the Civil Rights Act of 1875 was constitutional.
4. Ruling
- Ruled 8–1 that the 1875 Act was unconstitutional.
- Said the 14th Amendment only applied to state actions, not private
discrimination.
- Therefore, private businesses could legally segregate.
5. Reaction of black Americans
- Many American Civil Right Activists e.g. Frederick Douglass warned it would
encourage more discrimination and violence
- Mass meeting in Alabama which requested to ensure that BA could enjoy
accommodation the same as other races
- Opened the door to legal segregation.
Impact of 1883 supreme court cases
1. 1875 Civil Rights Act
- Passed by congress during reconstruction period
- Intended to reinforce the 14th Amendment act and to promote racial equality
- Problem was the wording; the Supreme Court said the 14th Amendment only
applies to actions by the government, not private individuals or companies.
2. Role of US Supreme Court
- US Supreme Court limited civil rights by ruling key laws unconstitutional, such
as striking down the 1875 Civil Rights Act in 1883, which allowed private
segregation enabling laws such as the JC laws
3. 1883 Cases
- A group of five separate cases heard together by the U.S. Supreme Court.
- All involved African Americans being denied equal access to public places (e.g.
theatres & transport).
- The cases challenged whether the Civil Rights Act of 1875 was constitutional.
4. Ruling
- Ruled 8–1 that the 1875 Act was unconstitutional.
- Said the 14th Amendment only applied to state actions, not private
discrimination.
- Therefore, private businesses could legally segregate.
5. Reaction of black Americans
- Many American Civil Right Activists e.g. Frederick Douglass warned it would
encourage more discrimination and violence
- Mass meeting in Alabama which requested to ensure that BA could enjoy
accommodation the same as other races
- Opened the door to legal segregation.
