Justice Henry Brown’S Opinion Student Sample Justice Browns Opinion

Justice Henry Brown’s Opinion

Plessy v. Ferguson , 1896

Student Notes, Example

Name: ____________________________________

Directions: Individually examine each document and come up with Document Information (what the document explicitly states) and Document Inferences (additional historical information inferred from the document). The first has been done for you as an example.

Document A: Plessy v. Ferguson , 1896

Document Information:

1. The opinion says the plaintiff’s argument – that racial separation gives one a mark of inferiority – is a “fallacy.”

2. The opinion argues that social equality should come from choice.

3. The opinion claims that laws cannot change any unequal position of races.

Document Inferences:

1. “Separate but equal.” Racial segregation is legal in U. S. public facilities.

2. Laws do not recognize race.

3. These laws would be largely regulated at the state level.