American Civil Rights Movement Supreme Court Cases

Sweatt v. Painter (1950)

A 33‑year‑old African‑American aspiring to become a lawyer was denied admission to a prestigious state law school solely based on his race. Instead, the state offered him a segregated alternative that was demonstrably inferior—lacking in facilities, faculty, and the intangible benefits of networking and reputation. After failing in state courts, his case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which unanimously ruled that the “separate but equal” doctrine had not been met. The decision underscored that racial segregation in education failed to provide equal protection under the Constitution.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

This consolidated case challenged state laws permitting segregated public schools despite nominal claims of equality. The plaintiffs argued that segregation by its very nature created unequal educational opportunities, harming the psychological and social development of African‑American children. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court declared that “separate but equal” in public education is inherently unequal, thereby overturning long‑standing precedents and mandating desegregation.

Hernandez v. Texas (1954)

A Mexican‑American defendant, charged with a serious crime, contended that his constitutional rights were violated because juries in his case were drawn exclusively from an all‑white pool—a systemic exclusion that denied him the opportunity for a fair trial. The U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, ruled that citizens cannot be deprived of equal protection under the law simply because of their national origin or descent, ensuring that jury selection must reflect the community’s diversity.

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