Read the passage and answer the question that follows. In the 1896 case of Plessy v. Ferguson the Supreme Court decided that the Equal Protection Clause allowed state governments to apply the "separate but equal" provision to public facilities. What was one way the decision described in this passage affected the United States in the first half of the twentieth century? Minorities were not allowed to attend schools with whites. Poll taxes in federal elections were ruled unconstitutional Affirmative action programs were ruled unconstitutional. D Minorities were not allowed to join the military.

## Step 1<br />The problem is a comprehension question based on a historical event, specifically the Supreme Court case of Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896. The case is significant because it upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.<br /><br />## Step 2<br />The doctrine of "separate but equal" meant that as long as the separate facilities for the different races were equal, segregation did not violate the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.<br /><br />## Step 3<br />The question asks for one way this decision affected the United States in the first half of the twentieth century. The options provided are:<br />A. Minorities were not allowed to attend schools with whites.<br />B. Poll taxes in federal elections were ruled unconstitutional.<br />C. Affirmative action programs were ruled unconstitutional.<br />D. Minorities were not allowed to join the military.<br /><br />## Step 4<br />Option A is the correct answer because it directly relates to the "separate but equal" doctrine. This doctrine allowed for racial segregation in public facilities, including schools. Therefore, minorities were not allowed to attend schools with whites.