Final answer:
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Plessy v. Ferguson solidified the 'separate but equal' doctrine, legitimizing racial segregation and unequal treatment. It bolstered de jure segregation until the historic reversal by Brown v. Board of Education in 1954, which laid the groundwork for the civil rights movement to challenge racial discrimination in various sectors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States Supreme Court’s decision in Plessy v. Ferguson had a profound effect on American society by institutionalizing the doctrine of “separate but equal“. This doctrine upheld racial segregation and justified the continuance of unequal treatment of Black and White Americans under the guise of providing equal public facilities and services. This ruling legally sanctioned discrimination and served as a cornerstone for the Jim Crow laws that followed, contributing to a period of significant racial strife in the United States.
The Court's decision entrenched de jure segregation, resulting in decades of separation between races in public accommodations, transportation, schooling, and other aspects of daily life. It was not until the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case in 1954 that the principles laid out in Plessy were challenged and overturned, at least in the context of public school segregation, marking a crucial victory for the civil rights movement and setting the stage for further legal challenges to racial discrimination.
The legacy of Plessy v. Ferguson was significant and long-lasting. It underscored the Supreme Court's role in shaping social policy and highlighted the challenges involved in interpreting the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The struggle for racial equality continued for many years, and the case served as a precedent for civil rights litigation, ultimately leading to the civil rights achievements of the 20th century.