In which case did the Supreme Court establish the doctrine of "separate but equal"?

The doctrine of "separate but equal" was established in the case of Plessy v. Ferguson. This landmark decision, decided in 1896, upheld state laws that mandated racial segregation in public facilities, under the premise that as long as the separate facilities were equal in quality, their segregation did not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The ruling essentially sanctioned a system of racial discrimination and legitimized laws maintaining segregation, significantly impacting civil rights in the United States for decades.

The importance of this case lies in its long-lasting effects on educational and social policies, as it provided a legal foundation for systemic discrimination. It wasn't until Brown v. Board of Education in 1954 that the doctrine was challenged and ultimately overturned, declaring that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal, thus violating the Equal Protection Clause. Understanding the context and implications of Plessy v. Ferguson helps clarify why it is significant in discussions surrounding civil rights and the evolution of legal principles regarding equality in America.