In the context of civil rights, what was the ruling of the case Civil Rights Cases of 1883?

The ruling of the Civil Rights Cases of 1883 is significant as it addressed the constitutionality of the Civil Rights Act of 1875, which aimed to prohibit racial discrimination in public accommodations, such as hotels, theaters, and transportation. The Supreme Court ruled that the federal government did not have the authority to regulate private acts of discrimination, meaning that the protections provided by the Civil Rights Act were not enforceable against private individuals or businesses. This ruling effectively declared the Civil Rights Act unconstitutional as it violated the rights of private property and individual freedom, leading to a significant setback for civil rights protection during that era.

This decision shaped the legal landscape for decades by allowing discriminatory practices to persist, as it limited federal intervention in matters of racial equality in public spaces. The ruling did not directly address issues such as voting rights or the legality of segregated facilities, but it did set a precedent that would allow segregation and discrimination to flourish in the subsequent years.