Executive Order 10925

Definition

Executive Order 10925 was a landmark executive order issued by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, which established the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity and prohibited federal contractors from discriminating in employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin. This order was a significant step in the federal government's efforts to promote civil rights and equal opportunity in the workplace.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Executive Order 10925 was issued by President John F. Kennedy on March 6, 1961, during the civil rights movement.
2. The order established the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity, which was tasked with monitoring and enforcing non-discrimination in federal employment and by federal contractors.
3. The order required federal contractors to 'take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin.'
4. Executive Order 10925 was a significant precursor to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination in employment and public accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
5. The order's provisions were later expanded and strengthened by subsequent executive orders, such as Executive Order 11246 issued by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965.

Review Questions

• Explain how Executive Order 10925 contributed to the federal government's efforts to bring about civil rights change.
  • Executive Order 10925 was a significant step in the federal government's efforts to promote civil rights and equal opportunity in the workplace. The order established the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity, which was tasked with monitoring and enforcing non-discrimination in federal employment and by federal contractors. It required federal contractors to take affirmative action to ensure that applicants and employees were treated without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin. This order was a precursor to the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibited discrimination in employment and public accommodations based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. By prohibiting discrimination and mandating affirmative action, Executive Order 10925 helped to advance the civil rights movement and lay the groundwork for further federal legislation and policies aimed at promoting equal rights and opportunities.
• Analyze the relationship between Executive Order 10925 and the development of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
  • Executive Order 10925 was a precursor to the establishment of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which was created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The order established the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity, which was responsible for monitoring and enforcing non-discrimination in federal employment and by federal contractors. This laid the groundwork for the EEOC, which was given the authority to investigate and enforce laws against workplace discrimination. The EEOC's mandate to promote equal employment opportunities and investigate and resolve complaints of discrimination was directly influenced by the principles and mechanisms established in Executive Order 10925. The order's focus on affirmative action and non-discrimination in hiring and employment also informed the EEOC's role in ensuring equal opportunity and addressing systemic barriers to employment for marginalized groups.
• Evaluate the long-term impact of Executive Order 10925 on the evolution of civil rights policies and legislation in the United States.
  • Executive Order 10925 had a significant and lasting impact on the evolution of civil rights policies and legislation in the United States. As a precursor to the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, the order established important principles and mechanisms that would shape future civil rights laws and policies. By prohibiting discrimination in federal employment and by federal contractors, and mandating affirmative action, the order helped to normalize the idea of government intervention to address systemic inequalities. This set the stage for the EEOC and other civil rights enforcement agencies to play a more active role in promoting equal opportunity and combating discrimination. Moreover, the order's focus on race, color, religion, and national origin as protected characteristics would be expanded upon in subsequent legislation, such as the inclusion of sex discrimination in the Civil Rights Act. Overall, Executive Order 10925 represented a pivotal moment in the federal government's evolving approach to civil rights, laying the groundwork for more comprehensive and impactful policies and laws in the decades that followed.

Related terms

Civil Rights Act of 1964: A landmark federal law that prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin and required equal access to public places and employment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): An independent federal agency created by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to enforce laws against workplace discrimination and promote equal employment opportunities.

Affirmative Action: Policies and programs designed to promote equal opportunity and increase the representation of historically disadvantaged groups, such as racial minorities and women, in education, employment, and other areas.