Brown+v.+Board+of+Education+(R6)

Brown v. Board of Education (Mr. Rieck period 6) The Pursuit of Justice Supreme Court Decisions That Shaped America

During the course of your studies in American Civics this year we have discussed the major powers and influence of the three branches of government. Recently, we have discussed the powers and influence of the least democratic branch of our government, the Judicial Branch. We focused primarily on the Supreme Court specifically the powers and duties of the court to interpret the Constitution and laws of the land, otherwise known as //Judicial Review//. This power has been exercised in various ways with different effect, however it is undeniable that many of the decisions of this high court have altered the course of our country’s history and established many of the personal liberties and freedoms we exercise today.

Your assignment is to research a Supreme Court case and decision. You with your partner will research and master a Supreme Court case. You will be asked to gather and evaluate information dealing with your assigned case and will be asked to use what you have learned as well as your creativity to produce a chapter on a class Wikispace.

Pennsylvania State Standards: 5.1.9.L, 5.1.12.L,5.3.9.G, 5.3.12.G, 5.3.9.B., 5.3.12.B

CASE: ___Brown v. Board of Education__ YEAR:_1954___

Research: Please use your text as well as the following sites to complete your research: [|www.**supremecourt**us.gov/], [|www.law.cornell.edu/supct/] , [|www.oyez.org/] , [|www.findlaw.com/casecode/**supreme**.html] , [] , [] FACTS/BACKGROUND: 1 point for each fact (10 points) * First argued on December 9, 1952


 * Reargued December 8, 1953


 * Decided May 17, 1954


 * This case overturned the Plessy v. Ferguson case.


 * Abandoned the separate but equal doctrine


 * Chief Justice during this case was Earl Warren

ISSUE/MAJOR QUESTION (Include all major issues) Schools were being segregated as well as all public accommodations and activities

MAJOR LAW OR RIGHTS DISCUSSED (Provide information about law/right at issue, example: 1st amendment establishment clause)

DECISION (courts answers to the question, yes/no, vote) The court held that racial segregation in public schools violates equal protection because it is unequal or segregated. Nothing can make racially segregated public schools under the Constitution because the fact of separation marks the separated race as unequal.

REASONING (justification behind the decision) Segregation violates the Constitution!

IMPACT (major societal impact, example major change in society as result of decision) Segregation became illegal because of this case. Now public places will be opened for both blacks and whites and would no longer be segregated.

DISSENTING ARGUMENT The people who where against this case voted against it because they were in favor of keeping segregation legal with the // separate but equal doctrine //.