Brown v. Board of Education Overview

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary purpose of busing in schools?

To provide transportation for students attending private schools.

To integrate schools by relocating students to different neighborhoods. (correct)

To reduce school funding disparities between districts.

To ensure segregated schools maintained their demographics.

What is described as 'white flight'?

The process of integrating schools through forced busing.

The trend of white families leaving neighborhoods as demographics change. (correct)

The movement of all racial groups seeking better schools.

The requirement of a quota for racial representation in schools.

What was a significant impact of the 1992 court decision regarding busing?

It reinforced the need for constant redrawing of district lines.

It allowed busing to end if segregation was due to housing patterns. (correct)

It prohibited systematic busing in Georgia entirely.

It mandated busing in all school districts.

What was one of the major challenges faced by the civil rights movement in Congress?

Ongoing violent demonstrations and riots impacting coalition-building. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes affirmative action from equality of opportunity?

Affirmative action emphasizes specific considerations of race and gender. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Supreme Court's view on intent affect school districting decisions?

It determined that districts would not be redrawn without evidence of intent. Signup and view all the answers

What was viewed as a setback for the civil rights movement in the late 1960s?

The occurrence of violent riots and demonstrations. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the judicial stance on affirmative action during Ronald Reagan's presidency?

The courts became divided on issues surrounding affirmative action. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary outcome of the Brown v. Board of Education lawsuit?

Schools were required to desegregate with all deliberate speed. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between de jure and de facto segregation?

De jure segregation is enforced legally while de facto segregation occurs through demographic patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What rationale did the court use to support its decision in Brown v. Board of Education?

Segregation creates a sense of inferiority in African American students. Signup and view all the answers

What were some remedies for past discrimination mentioned in the ruling?

Quotas, busing, and redrawing district lines. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant legal finding in Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg?

A school system must have intended to discriminate to be unconstitutional. Signup and view all the answers

How did the Supreme Court view the historical context of the 14th Amendment in relation to segregated schools?

The intent of the 14th Amendment did not initially concern the abolition of segregated schools. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the impact of the decision that schools must desegregate?

Enforcement was aided by the National Guard in certain cases. Signup and view all the answers

What did the court seek in terms of its opinion regarding the Brown v. Board of Education case?

A unanimous opinion to strengthen the ruling. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Brown v. Board of Education Implementation

Class Action Suit: Applies to all similarly situated African American children nationwide.
"All Deliberate Speed": Court mandated immediate desegregation.
Enforcement: National guard deployed.
Rationale: Segregation harms African American students, creates a sense of inferiority. Court used social science to justify, as 14th Amendment wording was not explicitly against segregation.

De Jure vs. De Facto Segregation

De Jure: Segregation mandated by law (primarily in the South).
De Facto: Segregation that exists in practice, often due to housing patterns (primarily in the North).
Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg (1971): A school system must have intended to discriminate to violate the constitution. Demographic factors in the North (neighborhoods/housing) did not indicate intent .

School Integration Remedies and Challenges

Intent to discriminate: Crucial legal requirement for intervention.
Remedies: Quotas, busing, redrawing district lines (primarily for instances of past discrimination).
White Flight: Movement of white residents, changing demographics, contributing to single-race schools in de facto segregation cases.
Supreme Court Restriction: Courts reluctant to constantly redraw district lines or mandate busing in the absence of intentional discrimination.
1992 Decision: Allowed busing to end in Georgia if segregation stemmed solely from housing patterns (de facto).

Civil Rights Campaign in Congress

Mobilization: Public opinion was built through dramatic events like sit-ins, freedom rides to create political pressure.
Setbacks: Violent demonstrations and riots hindered coalition-building. They were seen as law-breaking actions by some of the whites, resulting in difficulties in coalition building.
Timeline: (1964-1968) A period with both non-violent protests as well as racially violent riots (negative turn).

Affirmative Action

Arguments for: Race and gender should be considered in hiring/promotion and university admissions.
Arguments against: Equality of opportunity is the only guiding principle. The law should be colorblind & gender neutral to remove barriers.
Legal Battles: Courts highly divided, influenced by conservative judicial appointments. Affirmative Action laws complex and challenging to apply.
Bakke Case (1978): Court ruling limited affirmative action approaches.

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Description

Explore the key concepts and implications of the Brown v. Board of Education case, including the class action suit and the court's mandate for desegregation. This quiz also delves into the distinctions between de jure and de facto segregation and the remedies and challenges faced in school integration. Test your knowledge on this landmark case and its ramifications.