What was the legal and social importance of the plessy v. ferguson ruling? it upheld the thirteenth amendment. it established the “separate but equal” standard. it defined the term individual. it upheld the fourteenth amendment.

The correct answer is "It established the separate but equal standard."

The Supreme Court case Plessy vs. Ferguson revolved around a man by the name of Homer Plessy. Homer Plessy was taking a railroad car in the state of Louisiana that was supposed to be reserved for all white passengers. Homer Plessy, who was 1/8th black, decided to sit in this car for all white passengers anyways. He was arrested for this action and brought to court.

After a series of cases in the lower courts, the case was taken on by the Supreme Court. In this case, the Supreme Court justices ruled that "separate but equal" does not violate the Constitution. This results in segregated schools, restaurants, buses, and other public places/modes of transportation.