Civil Rights Act of 1964
Definition
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark piece of legislation in the United States that outlawed major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities, and women. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served the general public.
Analogy
Think about playing a board game where some players have to follow stricter rules than others. This makes it harder for them to win or even play effectively. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 essentially made sure everyone has to follow the same rules in this "game" we call life.
Related terms
Jim Crow Laws: These were state and local laws enforcing racial segregation in the Southern United States until they were abolished by the Civil Rights Act.
Voting Rights Act of 1965: This act aimed to overcome legal barriers at state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment.
Brown v Board Of Education (1954): A Supreme Court case where segregation in public schools was ruled unconstitutional, paving way for greater social equality.
"Civil Rights Act of 1964" appears in:
Subjects (2)
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (11)
- Which of the following was a key feature of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
- Which U.S. president signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law, which outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin?
- What practice was effectively addressed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
- What issue did the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a major component of "The Great Society", address?
- Which societal issue was significantly addressed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
- How could an unsuccessful Civil Rights Act of 1964 change American society's perspective on equality and justice?
- What was a key outcome of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
- Who was not directly involved in drafting the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
- Who signed into law the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964?
- What could've been a result if the Civil Rights Act of 1964 hadn't passed?
- Who is considered the primary author of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?
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