Civil Rights Act of 1964

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (42 U.S.C. § 2000a et seq.)

2) Why It Was Done
The Act was passed to end segregation in public places and ban employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a response to the Civil Rights Movement and entrenched systemic discrimination.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
While the 14th Amendment and earlier Civil Rights Acts (1866, 1875) provided some protections, enforcement was weak and inconsistent. The 1964 Act gave federal government direct authority to enforce civil rights.

Acts

Voting Rights Act of 1965

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (52 U.S.C. § 10301 et seq.)

2) Why It Was Done
The Act was enacted to enforce the 15th Amendment, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting. It responded to widespread voter suppression, including literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
The 15th Amendment (1870) banned racial discrimination in voting, but enforcement was weak. States, especially in the South, used Jim Crow laws to suppress minority votes. The Act gave federal government direct enforcement power.

Acts

Fair Housing Act

Fair Housing Act (1968)

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.)

2) Why It Was Done
Enacted just days after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Act was designed to end discrimination in housing, addressing systemic barriers to home ownership and rental opportunities for minorities.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibited discrimination in public accommodations and employment, it did not cover housing. Housing segregation remained deeply entrenched nationwide.