Which Supreme Court case upheld a state's right to regulate businesses of a public nature?

The correct answer is based on the Supreme Court case Munn v. Illinois, decided in 1877. This case established that states have the authority to regulate private industries that serve the public interest, particularly when it comes to businesses that operate monopolistically, like grain elevators and railroads. The Court ruled that because these businesses were closely tied to the public welfare, the state had the right to impose regulations on their operations and rates.

This ruling was significant in the context of the late 19th century as it affirmed the principle that while private property rights must be respected, they could be regulated by the government when necessary to protect the public good. The decision laid a foundation for later regulatory measures and was a key moment in the development of state regulations of what were seen as quasi-monopolies.

In contrast, Wabash v. Illinois, decided in 1886, limited the states' rights to regulate interstate commerce, particularly concerning railroads, marking a shift in the legal landscape. Plessy v. Ferguson addressed segregation laws and is known for its "separate but equal" doctrine, while Brown v. Board of Education was pivotal in civil rights by declaring segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Thus, Munn v. Illinois stands out