What fundamental principle was established in Brown v. Board?

The case of Brown v. Board of Education established that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional, effectively overturning the precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson, which upheld the "separate but equal" doctrine. This landmark Supreme Court decision determined that racially segregated schools are inherently unequal, thus violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The ruling emphasized that segregation in public education instills a sense of inferiority among African American children, which hinders their educational opportunities and is detrimental to their development.

This decision was groundbreaking as it served as a significant catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement, advocating for desegregation and equality in all aspects of American society. The impact of Brown v. Board continues to resonate in discussions about race and education in the United States.