Which principle was upheld by Jim Crow laws regarding racial segregation?

The principle upheld by Jim Crow laws regarding racial segregation is "Separate but equal." This doctrine emerged from the 1896 Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson, which legitimized state laws that enforced racial segregation in public facilities, including schools, transportation, and accommodations. The ruling stated that racial segregation did not violate the 14th Amendment as long as the separate facilities were considered to be equal, thus promoting the idea that segregation could coexist with legal equality. In practice, however, the facilities and services provided to African Americans were often inferior, which led to systemic discrimination and inequality.

In contrast, the other options pertain to ideas that were not embodied in Jim Crow laws. The integration of schools and equal employment opportunities refer to concepts that emerged later, particularly during the Civil Rights Movement, which sought to dismantle segregationist policies. Universal suffrage is related to voting rights and access but does not directly connect to the principles of racial segregation upheld by Jim Crow laws. Therefore, "Separate but equal" accurately reflects the legal precedent that justified racial segregation during that era.