Question

Which statement describes the impact that the Plessy v. Ferguson decision MOST likely had on the maintenance of national order?

a. It gave power to southern states to maintain segregation laws.
b. It helped state governments arrest people when they challenged laws.
c. It forced southern states to abide by the same laws as northern states.
d. It made the national government more powerful than state governments.

Answer 1

The Plessy v. Ferguson decision empowered southern states to enforce segregation laws under the 'separate but equal' doctrine, upholding state-level authority in maintaining segregation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Which statement describes the impact that the Plessy v. Ferguson decision MOST likely had on the maintenance of national order? The answer is: a. It gave power to southern states to maintain segregation laws. The Supreme Court's decision in 1896 reinforced the 'separate but equal' doctrine, which provided a constitutional basis for states to implement segregation laws under the guise of equality. This ruling bolstered the authority of states, particularly in the South, to enforce segregation through the Jim Crow laws.