Plessy v. ferguson was overturned in 1954 when the supreme court decided that
a. racial segregation was unconstitutional.
b. segregation was necessary for "public peace and good order."
c. the "separate but equal" doctrine applied to education.
d. the government could not legislate equality.

The correct answer is A) Racial segregation was unconstitutional.

The 1954 Supreme Court case being refered to in the question is the Brown vs. Board of Education case. This case overturned the Plessy vs. Ferguson case, which established the doctrine of "seperate but equal" in American society.

In the Brown vs. Board of Education case, the Supreme Court justices ruled that "separate but equal" was inherently unequal. Along with this, it was a violate of the Equal Protection clause of the 14th amendment.

A.Racial Segregation was unconstitutional.

Racial segregation was a policy by which people were distinguished on the basis of their race and color of the skin. The ethnicity of a person determined his or her social position and the amenities and opportunities that would be given to the person. Racial segregation formed an integral part of American politics during the onset of the nineteenth century, and it's profound psychological and social effects on the development of African Americans necessitated measures for its abolition.

Further Explanation:  

The Plessy v. Fergusson Case was cited by the Supreme Court in ruling its decisions on the case of Brown v Board of Education, where the American state laws based on the principle of ‘Separate but equal’ was declared unconstitutional. The principle of ‘Separate but equal’ was the backbone of the American laws on racial segregation, disregarding the clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment Act of the U.S. Constitution. The laws provided for separate facilities for African Americans and Anglo Americans, but they would be equal in the facilities provided. The segregation laws had a profound psychological impact on the social development of African Americans. These laws were further extended to educational institutions. On May 17, 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation in educational institutions or the establishment of separate educational facilities on the basis of race and class was clearly unequal, thereby, violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, the rulings of the 1954 case did not mean the end of racial segregation but merely initiated a series of debates between the contesting parties on the issue of integration of schools throughout the United States. Expecting opposition to this historic ruling, the Supreme Court initiated desegregation at a ‘deliberate speed’. Although it has to be admitted that the Brown v Board of Education case did not bring about equality among the rights of Americans and African Americans, it can be said that it paved the way for the process of desegregation.

Learn more:

1. Original jurisdiction refers to?

2. Which country was the last to join the allied powers?

Answer Details:

Grade: High School

Subject: History

Chapter: Racial Segregation in the United States.

Keywords:  

Racial segregation, Brown v Board of Education, separate educational facilities, Equal Protection Clause, Fourteenth Amendment Act, desegregation.

four sitting presidents have been assassinated while in office but the first was abraham lincoln,