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Plessy vs. Ferguson decision
Supreme Court rules "separate but equal" and forms framework of segregation -
NAACP formed
Headed by Thurgood Marshall, NAACP is formed to seek equal rights of African Americans -
NAACP makes progress
Progress starts to be made in courts to overcome legally sanctioned discrimination -
Cold War
The Soviet Union begins to take advantage of American racism during the Cold War -
Linda Brown
Linda Brown, an 8-year old African American, is forced to walk 21 blocks to an all black school when there is a white school only 5 blocks away. -
Oliver Brown
Oliver Brown and 13 other parents try to enroll their children in white schools but are denied. -
The Lawsuit
Oliver Brown, aided by NAACP lawyers, became the first parent to file a lawsuit against Topeka Board of Education. -
The Trial
The District of Kansas heard Oliver Brown's case and ruled in favor of Topeka Board of Education. -
Appeal
Oliver Brown makes an appeal -
Supreme Court
The Supreme Court first hears about the case from NAACP lawyers.
Marshall personally argues case in favor of Oliver Brown. He shows the Court that separation makes blacks feel inferior. -
Justice dies
The case goes on hold when Court Justice Vinson dies. He is soon replaced by Earl Warren. -
Supreme Court rehears case
After being unable to come to an agreement during the 1952-1953 court term, the Supreme Court decides to rehear the case. -
The Decision
Chief Justice Warren delivers the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court. -
The Outcome
The case officially ends in favor of Linda Brown -
Desegregation
The Supreme Court rules that desegregation was to proceed with "all deliberate speed". -
Integration
Integration of schools begins around the country. Resisted by many schools in the South. -
Social Justice
Oliver Brown's case becomes the cornerstone of the social justice movement of the 1960s. -
Resistance
The Supreme Court is forced to lay groundwork for integration after resistance in southern states such as Virgina. -
Affirmative Action
NAACP and ACLU successfully got behind the concept of Affirmative Action, the equalization of education and employment for minorities. -
College
A dramatic increase in the enrollment of African Americans is seen in colleges across the nation. -
Period: to
Brown vs. Board of Education
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Schools
70% of the nations' black students attend predominatly minority schools.
