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The Supreme Court didn't really overturn the 14th Amendment (which is outside their Constitutional authority) so much as they used their person political ideologies to rationalize violating the spirit and letter of the Amendment.

Justice John Harlan I was the lone dissenter on Plessy v. Ferguson, (1896), the case that legally authorized the "separate but equal" doctrine and allowed Jim Crow laws to proliferate throughout the country. The Fuller Court's twisted constitutional interpretation remained relatively intact until the Plessy decision, and the separate but equal doctrine, were declared unconstitutional in Brown v. Board of Education,(1954).

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Did all Amendments to the Constitution come in reaction to Supreme Court decisions?

No, not all of them, although it's fair to say the Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Nineteenth and Twenty-Sixth Amendments were necessitated in some way by Supreme Court decisions.The first Ten Amendments (Bill of Rights) were created to appease some of the states that didn't want to ratify the Constitution without some guarantees of protection from the federal government.The Eleventh Amendment was a reaction to the Supreme Court's decision in Chisholm v. Georgia, (1793), because the Court held the states lacked sovereign immunity from being sued by citizens for war debt accumulated during the Revolution.The Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments (also called the Reconstruction Amendments) were created as a result of the Civil War; however, the Supreme Court's decision in Dred Scott v. Sanford, (1857), was a major kindling factor in that war.The Sixteenth Amendment was a direct reaction to the Supreme Court's decision in Pollock v. Farmers' Loan & Trust Co., (1895), which declared Congress' attempt to institute an income tax unconstitutional.The Nineteenth Amendment granting women's suffrage wasn't ratified as a direct result of a Supreme Court case, but was necessitated by the Court's interpretation of the Fifteenth Amendment not applying to women, in Minor v. Happersett,(1875), an equal protection challenge based on the Fourteenth Amendment. The Supreme Court's peculiar interpretation of the Fifteenth Amendment was that it "...did not confer upon women the right to vote but only the right not to be discriminated against on the basis of their sex in the setting of voting qualifications."The Twenty-Sixth Amendment reducing the national voting age for both federal and state elections from 21 to 18 was ratified in response to the Supreme Court's decision in Oregon v. Mitchell, (1970), in which a divided Court declared Congress could reduce the voting age for federal elections, but did not have the authority to override state voting regulations. The states, contemplating the expense and confusion of holding separate elections for state and federal office, were happy to agree to this Amendment.Most of the other amendments involved what the Court refers to as "political questions," which it typically declines to hear.


Why was Texas v. Johnson important enough to be heard by the US Supreme Court?

Texas v. Johnson was important enough for the US Supreme Court to hear because it involved a crucial decision about whether burning (and other flag desecration) was protected as a form of free speech under the first First Amendment. Many cities had laws prohibiting the activity, a fairly common means of political protest. Only the Supreme Court has jurisdiction over laws affecting the entire country, so they needed to make the decision, because a First Amendment interpretation affects the entire country and is a matter of national importance.Background InformationIn 1984, Gregory Johnson participated in a political rally protesting U.S. war policies. The protest culminated in Johnson and others dousing an American flag with kerosene and setting it on fire in the streets of Dallas.Johnson was arrested under the Texas Venerated Objects Law, which outlawed intentionally or knowingly desecrating a flag in a way some observer might find seriously offensive. He was found guilty and sentenced to a year in prison plus a $2,000 fine.Johnson appealed his case to the Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas, the equivalent of a Texas Supreme Court for criminal cases (Texas has two high courts: one for criminal cases and one for civil cases), which reversed the lower court's decision on the grounds that burning the flag was protected by the First Amendment as expressive political speech.The State of Texas, hoping to preserve the flag desecration statute, appealed the state's ruling to the US Supreme Court. The Supreme Court granted certiorari.In a 5-4 vote, the US Supreme Court held that the Texas law stating desecration is illegal if "the actor knows it will seriously offend one or more persons," was a deliberate attempt at suppressing free speech, and therefore was unconstitutional. Johnson had the right to invoke First Amendment protection because the burning occurred in the context of a political protest.Case Citation:Texas v. Johnson, 491 US 397 (1989)For more information about Texas v. Johnson, see Related Questions, below.


Why was the 18th amendment important to The Great Gatsby?

Because the setting of the book takes in the 1920s and that was during the prohibition era. In the book, the mysery of how Gatby made his money is revealed when they call him a bootlegger, because he was selling alcohol while it was illegal.


What are two historical events from 1865 to 1970 have had consequences and ramifications for later periods of American History?

The passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865, which abolished slavery in the United States, laid the foundation for civil rights movements and ongoing struggles for racial equality throughout American history. Additionally, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 marked a significant turning point in dismantling legal segregation and discrimination, setting the stage for further advancements in social justice and equality in subsequent decades. Both events significantly shaped America's social landscape and continue to influence contemporary discussions around race and rights.


What happened to blacks in 1940-60?

Between 1940 and 1960, African Americans faced significant social and economic challenges, as well as systemic racism and segregation, particularly in the South. The Civil Rights Movement began to gain momentum during this period, with key events like the 1947 Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball and the 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Activism grew, leading to protests, boycotts, and the formation of organizations like the NAACP and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), setting the stage for more significant civil rights advancements in the 1960s. Despite these efforts, many African Americans continued to experience discrimination, poverty, and limited access to education and employment.

Related Questions

What was the significance of the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison and how did it establish the power of judicial review to overturn unconstitutional laws?

The Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison was significant because it established the power of judicial review. This means that the Supreme Court has the authority to review laws passed by Congress and the President to determine if they are unconstitutional. In this case, the Court ruled that it had the power to overturn laws that were found to be unconstitutional, setting a precedent for future cases.


What did segregation opponent hope to achieve with brown vs board of education of Topeka?

Segregation opponents aimed to achieve the end of racial segregation in public schools through the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case. They sought to challenge the "separate but equal" doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson, arguing that segregated schools were inherently unequal and violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1954 ultimately declared that racial segregation in public education was unconstitutional, setting a precedent for the civil rights movement and promoting greater equality in society.


What was the reason the supreme court used brown v. board of education?

The Supreme Court used Brown v. Board of Education to address the constitutionality of racial segregation in public schools. The case challenged the "separate but equal" doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson, demonstrating that segregated educational facilities were inherently unequal and violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Court's unanimous decision in 1954 declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional, marking a significant step in the civil rights movement and setting a precedent for future desegregation efforts.


Why is importa that the Supreme Cour has the power to overturn the decisions?

The Supreme Court's power to overturn decisions is crucial for maintaining a check on the legislative and executive branches, ensuring that laws and policies align with constitutional principles. This authority allows the Court to correct judicial errors, adapt to societal changes, and protect individual rights against potential government overreach. By setting legal precedents, the Court also contributes to the consistency and stability of the law, fostering public trust in the judicial system.


How does the supreme court regulate the federal court?

The Supreme Court regulates the federal court system primarily through its authority to interpret the Constitution and federal laws. It has the power to hear appeals from lower federal courts, thereby setting legal precedents that guide future cases. Additionally, the Supreme Court can review and overturn decisions made by lower courts, ensuring consistency and adherence to constitutional principles. Through its rulings, the Supreme Court shapes the operation and jurisdiction of federal courts across the country.


The 1908 case of Muller v State of Oregon was the precedent setting in that the supreme court?

The 1908 Case Of Muller Vs. State Of Orgeon Was Precedent Setting In That The Supreme Court


What was the thurgood marshall's role in brown vs board of education?

Thurgood Marshall served as the chief counsel for the NAACP during the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education in 1954. He argued that racial segregation in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Marshall's legal strategy highlighted the detrimental psychological effects of segregation on African American children, ultimately leading the Supreme Court to unanimously declare that "separate but equal" educational facilities were inherently unequal. This decision was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, setting the stage for desegregation.


What was the difference between segregation and integration?

Segregation is the enforced separation of different racial or ethnic groups, often leading to unequal treatment and opportunities. Integration, on the other hand, aims to bring together these groups in a unified setting, promoting equality and inclusivity. Basically, segregation divides while integration unites.


What was the outcome of Hazelwood vs Kuhlmier?

In the Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier case, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the school district, allowing them to censor school-sponsored publications if the content is reasonably related to legitimate educational concerns. This decision limited student First Amendment rights in the school setting.


Who made the decision that setting limits on the number of terms that a senator or a representative can serve is illegal?

The Supreme Court


What is the setting of the lily-white boys?

The setting of "The Lily-White Boys" is a small town in the southern United States during the early 20th century, where racism and segregation are prevalent. The story deals with themes of social injustice and discrimination.


How did mendez vs Westminster affect the course American history?

Mendez v. Westminster (1947) was a landmark case that challenged school segregation in California, setting a precedent for future civil rights litigation. The case involved Mexican American families who fought against the discriminatory policies that segregated their children into separate schools. The court's ruling in favor of the Mendez family helped lay the groundwork for the later Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. This case significantly contributed to the broader civil rights movement by highlighting the injustices of segregation and advocating for equal educational opportunities.