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US History – 1945 to Present
Table of Contents
Unit 6 Overview: LBJ and the Great Society
6.1 War on Poverty and Social Welfare Programs
6.2 Civil Rights Legislation and Voting Rights
6.3 Medicare, Medicaid, and Healthcare Reform

The Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act were landmark laws that reshaped American society. They banned discrimination, desegregated public spaces, and protected voting rights for minorities. These laws marked a turning point in the struggle for racial equality.

Despite progress, resistance to civil rights legislation persisted. Violence, intimidation, and institutional barriers slowed integration efforts. While the laws expanded opportunities for African Americans, challenges to achieving full racial equality remain ongoing today.

Civil Rights Legislation

Provisions of Civil Rights Act

  • Prohibited discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin
    • Banned segregation in public accommodations (hotels, restaurants, theaters)
    • Outlawed discrimination in employment practices
    • Prohibited discrimination in federally funded programs
  • Established the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to enforce provisions related to employment discrimination
  • Laid the groundwork for further civil rights legislation and court decisions
  • Contributed to the desegregation of schools, workplaces, and public facilities
  • Encouraged the integration of African Americans into mainstream American society

Impact of Voting Rights Act

  • Banned discriminatory voting practices (literacy tests, poll taxes)
  • Authorized federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of discrimination
  • Empowered the U.S. Attorney General to investigate and challenge discriminatory voting practices
  • Led to a significant increase in African American voter registration and participation
    • Mississippi: African American voter registration increased from 6.7% in 1964 to 59.8% in 1967
    • Alabama: African American voter registration increased from 19.3% in 1964 to 51.6% in 1967
  • Facilitated the election of African American representatives at the local, state, and federal levels

Challenges and Long-term Impact

Resistance to civil rights legislation

  • Some state and local governments resisted desegregation efforts
    • Alabama Governor George Wallace's "Stand in the Schoolhouse Door" to prevent integration at the University of Alabama
    • Massive resistance in Southern states to school desegregation following the Brown v. Board of Education decision
  • Violence and intimidation against civil rights activists and African Americans
    • Bombings of churches and homes (16th Street Baptist Church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama)
    • Murders of civil rights workers (Mississippi Burning case)
  • Challenges in enforcing anti-discrimination provisions in employment and housing
  • Resistance from some white Americans who opposed integration and perceived civil rights legislation as a threat to their way of life

Long-term effects of Johnson's policies

  • Increased opportunities for African Americans in education, employment, and political participation
  • Contributed to the growth of the African American middle class
  • Laid the foundation for further civil rights advancements (affirmative action policies, Fair Housing Act of 1968)
  • Inspired other marginalized groups (women, LGBTQ+ community) to advocate for their rights
  • Ongoing challenges in achieving full racial equality, as evidenced by disparities in income, education, and criminal justice system
    • Persistence of de facto segregation in housing and schools
    • Disproportionate incarceration rates among African Americans
  • Continued debates over the role of government in addressing systemic racism and promoting social justice

Key Terms to Review (18)

George Wallace: George Wallace was a prominent American politician and governor of Alabama, known for his staunch segregationist views during the Civil Rights Movement. He famously declared 'segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever' in his inaugural address in 1963, becoming a symbol of resistance to desegregation efforts and racial equality in the South. His actions and policies significantly influenced both civil rights legislation and the fight for voting rights during a turbulent era in American history.
Mississippi Burning: Mississippi Burning refers to the violent events and FBI investigation surrounding the murders of three civil rights activists in Mississippi during the summer of 1964. This term symbolizes the struggle for civil rights and the push for voting rights, highlighting the extreme racial tensions and systemic violence faced by activists in the South, ultimately leading to significant legislative changes.
Affirmative action: Affirmative action refers to policies and practices designed to improve opportunities for historically marginalized groups, particularly in education and employment. These measures aim to address past discrimination and promote diversity by giving preferential treatment to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. The effectiveness and fairness of affirmative action have been subjects of debate, especially regarding its implications for civil rights and economic equity.
Fair Housing Act of 1968: The Fair Housing Act of 1968 is a landmark piece of legislation in the United States that aimed to eliminate discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This act was a significant achievement of the civil rights movement, as it sought to promote equal opportunity in housing and combat the practice of redlining, which had historically restricted access to housing for minorities.
Integration: Integration refers to the process of combining individuals or groups from different racial, ethnic, or social backgrounds into a unified society. This concept is particularly relevant in the context of civil rights legislation and voting rights, as it emphasizes the importance of achieving equality and inclusion for all citizens, regardless of race. Successful integration requires not only legal frameworks but also societal acceptance and support to dismantle systemic barriers that have historically marginalized certain groups.
African American voter registration: African American voter registration refers to the efforts and processes that enable African Americans to register to vote, particularly in the context of overcoming systemic barriers and discrimination. This term is closely linked to the civil rights movement, which sought to ensure equal voting rights and eliminate practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes that disproportionately disenfranchised Black voters. The struggle for African American voter registration highlights the broader fight for civil rights and social justice in the United States.
16th Street Baptist Church Bombing: The 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing was a racially motivated terrorist attack that occurred on September 15, 1963, in Birmingham, Alabama, where a bomb exploded during Sunday services, killing four African American girls. This tragic event highlighted the violent resistance to the Civil Rights Movement and underscored the urgent need for effective legislation to protect civil rights and voting rights for African Americans.
16th Street Baptist Church bombing: The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing was a racially motivated terrorist attack that occurred on September 15, 1963, when members of the Ku Klux Klan planted a bomb at the church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four African American girls and injuring 22 others. This horrific event highlighted the violent opposition to the civil rights movement and galvanized support for civil rights legislation and voting rights across the United States.
Stand in the Schoolhouse Door: The phrase 'stand in the schoolhouse door' refers to the act of Alabama Governor George Wallace blocking the entrance of the University of Alabama on June 11, 1963, to prevent African American students, Vivian Malone and James Hood, from enrolling. This dramatic event symbolized the struggle against segregation and was a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, highlighting the resistance faced by those advocating for equal education and civil rights legislation.
African American Middle Class: The African American middle class refers to a socioeconomic group of African Americans who have achieved a level of economic stability and professional success, often marked by homeownership, higher education, and stable employment. This group emerged significantly during the post-World War II era as civil rights advancements, economic opportunities, and educational access expanded, allowing for greater upward mobility within the African American community.
Poll taxes: Poll taxes were fees that individuals were required to pay in order to vote, often used as a means to restrict access to voting, particularly among African Americans and poor people in the United States. These taxes were enacted in the late 19th century, particularly in Southern states, as part of a broader effort to disenfranchise marginalized groups following the Civil War. Poll taxes contributed to the systemic barriers that limited voting rights and reflected the ongoing struggle for equality and civil rights.
Literacy tests: Literacy tests were assessments that were historically used to determine a person's reading and writing abilities, often employed in the United States as a means to restrict voting rights, particularly for African Americans. These tests were often complicated and subjective, designed to disenfranchise voters rather than assess actual literacy. Their use was closely linked to the systemic efforts of segregation and discrimination during the Jim Crow era.
Segregation: Segregation refers to the enforced separation of different racial or ethnic groups within a society, often resulting in unequal access to resources, rights, and opportunities. This practice was particularly prominent in the United States from the late 19th century through the 1960s, affecting various aspects of life such as education, transportation, and housing, and it became a focal point for civil rights activism and legislation aimed at achieving equality and dismantling discriminatory practices.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is a federal agency established in 1965 to enforce laws against workplace discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, and genetic information. The EEOC plays a crucial role in promoting equal opportunity in the workplace and is an essential part of the broader civil rights movement that sought to end discrimination and ensure fair treatment for all individuals, particularly during the significant legislative changes of the 1960s.
Brown v. Board of Education: Brown v. Board of Education was a landmark 1954 Supreme Court case that declared state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional. This decision overturned the 'separate but equal' doctrine established in Plessy v. Ferguson, setting the stage for desegregation efforts and influencing future civil rights legislation.
Civil Rights Act of 1964: The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is landmark legislation in the United States that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This act was crucial in advancing civil rights by prohibiting segregation in schools, employment, and public accommodations, ultimately reshaping the social and political landscape of America during the Civil Rights Movement.
Discrimination: Discrimination refers to the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, often based on attributes such as race, gender, age, or religion. This term is critical in understanding social justice movements and legislative changes that aimed to address and eradicate systemic inequalities in society. Throughout history, various forms of discrimination have prompted significant civil rights activism and have led to landmark laws designed to protect individuals from such unfair treatment.
Voting Rights Act of 1965: The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. It aimed to enforce the voting rights guaranteed by the 14th and 15th Amendments, addressing systemic barriers that disenfranchised African Americans, particularly in the South. The Act is closely connected to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as both were pivotal in advancing civil rights and ensuring equal access to the electoral process.