The Supreme Court played a significant role in the civil rights movement by adjudicating landmark cases that addressed racial discrimination and established legal precedents for equality. Notable decisions include Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared segregated schools unconstitutional, overturning the "separate but equal" doctrine of Plessy v. Ferguson. These rulings bolstered the civil rights movement by legitimizing the struggle for desegregation and equal rights under the law. The Supreme Court's involvement highlighted the judiciary's responsibility to protect civil liberties, influencing public opinion and providing legal support to activists. Thus, the Court was pivotal in advancing civil rights throughout the 20th century.