Civil Rights Act of 1866
Definition
This was the first United States federal law to define citizenship and affirm that all citizens are equally protected by the law. It was mainly intended to protect the civil rights of African-Americans in the wake of the American Civil War.
Analogy
Think about when you're playing a board game and someone keeps bending rules or making up new ones. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 is like having an official rulebook everyone has agreed on - it clearly defines who gets to play (who's a citizen) and ensures everyone plays fair (equal protection under law).
Related terms
Equal Protection Clause: Part of the 14th Amendment stating that no state shall deny any person within its jurisdiction "the equal protection of the laws."
Dred Scott v. Sandford: A Supreme Court case where it was ruled that African Americans were not U.S. citizens, which led to increased tensions leading up to the Civil War.
13th Amendment: An amendment abolishing slavery in all U.S territories.
"Civil Rights Act of 1866" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (2)
- Which of the following best compares the goals of the Freedmen's Bureau and the Civil Rights Act of 1866?
- Which of the following best compares the goals of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Fourteenth Amendment?
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.