Brown+V.+Topica,+Kansas

THE BASIC FACTS OF THE CASES (more than one) (check [|video], [|Link 1], [|Link 2], [|Link 3]) Make a bulleted list of the basic facts of the cases brought to the Supreme Court -Slavery was never legally established in Kansas. -Kansas wasn't as segregated as some other states. -Case was brought to court in 1951 -The case was about the four black schools.

THE MAIN ARGUMENTS OF THE PLAINTIFF (for integration) (check [|Link 1]) List the major arguments of the plaintiffs

-In the Plessy vs Ferguson case, the Supreme Court had misinterpreted the equal protection part of the Fourteenth Amendment.

-The Fourteenth Amendment stated that the government could stop any discriminatory state action based on race

-The Fourteenth Amendment did not specify whether the states would be allowed to establish segregated education. Psychological testing demonstrated the harmful effects of segregation on the minds of African American children.

THE MAIN ARGUMENTS OF THE DEFENDANTS (for segregation) (check [|Link 1]) List the major arguments of the Defendants

-The constitution doesn't say that blacks and whites have to be at the same school. - States should be able to separate them if they want to. - Segregation didn't harm black people.

THE CHANGE IN THE COURT (leading to a decision) (check [|**Link 1**]) What important change happened in the Supreme Court, and what was its impact?

A justice died, and when the new justice came, he got everyone to unanimously overturn the court decision.

THE COURT DECISION (in your own words) (check [|**Link 1**] and Link 2) What did the Supreme Court decide in the landmark decision?

They said that the black schools wouldn't be equal, and that would be in violation of the fourteenth amendment.

ENFORCING THE DECISION (discuss "with all deliberate speed) (Check [|Link 1][|Video]) What was the Court's statement about the enforcement of the decision? What happened to the enforcement?

They said that the states would have to handle it themselves the rest of the way. This made people organize segregated groups that tried to maintain their ways.

THE IMPACT and LEGACY (Check [|**Link 1**]) What is the overall importance and legacy of Brown v. Board?

This started the freedom struggle which spread over the country. Some may say it was the "Spark".