8. Jim Crow Laws: Systematizing Segregation
Following Plessy v. Ferguson, Southern states expanded Jim Crow laws, codifying segregation in every aspect of daily life. Laws mandated separate schools, restaurants, railroad cars, and even drinking fountains for Black and white citizens. These statutes enforced a rigid racial hierarchy, making social and economic advancement nearly impossible for African Americans. For more examples and the far-reaching impact of these laws, see History.com.
