What was the Southern Manifesto?
Quick Answer
The Southern Manifesto, formally known as The Declaration of Constitutional Principles, was a resolution that was written by the U.S. Congress in 1956. The resolution condemned the decision reached by the Supreme Court in the Brown v. Board of Education case of 1954, stating that the decision was an abuse of the Supreme Court's judicial powers.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
The Southern Manifesto encouraged states to resist performing the mandates that were reached in the Brown v. Board of Education decision regarding the racial integration of public schools. In the manifesto, Congress stated that it would reverse the decision because the court's ruling was contrary to the U.S. Constitution. This was because the original Constitution did not mention education, nor did the 14th Amendment or any of the other amendments that were made to the Constitution at that time. Congress believed that the debates that preceded the submission of the 14th Amendment were proof that the amendment was not intended to affect systems of education on the state level.
In the Southern Manifesto, Congress also stated that the 10th Amendment to the Constitution should limit the power of the Supreme Court in regard to issues of that type. The Supreme Court revisited the decision that was reached in the Brown v. Board of Education case in the case of Cooper v. Aaron in 1958 after Southerners continued to oppose the previous ruling. It was decided that the states were bound by the previous ruling based on the court's interpretation of the Constitution.
Learn more about US HistoryRelated Questions
-
Q:
What is the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
A: The purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to list grievances against the British monarchy and summarize a philosophy of liberty held by the Contin... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
How did Thomas Jefferson change America?
A: Some of the many ways Thomas Jefferson changed America include drafting the Declaration of Independence, writing several laws and purchasing the Louisiana ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What did the Stamp Act Congress do?
A: The Stamp Act Congress issued a Declaration of Rights and Grievances. This declaration stated that the British Parliament could not impose a tax on the Ame... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What are some unusual facts about U.S. presidents?
A: One unusual fact about former presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson is that both died on Independence Day in 1826, 50 years after the singing of the D... Full Answer >Filed Under:
