Question

1.Explain the history of Civil Rights in the United States.

2. Next, explain what the ramifications were of the Supreme Court’s 1954 decision in Brown vs Board of Education. How did this expand civil rights in the US

3. Finally, explain the importance of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Answer 1

History of civil rights in United States

Though the civil war ended slavery and granted citizenship to all African Americans there was widespread discrimination against these people especially in the southern states. Its root lie in the struggle to end slavery and right to equal citizenship which was continuing since several decades.

Though they were granted basic civil rights through 14th and 15th amendment act, the struggle for federal protection of theses rights continued.

It intensied during early half of 20th century. This period is often referred to as nadir of American race relations as lynching were highest in this period.

Civil Rights movement was a mass struggle against this prevalent discrimination based on race and color which came to prominence during 1950s.

Importance of 1954 supreme court decision

This decision is landmark in US legal history as it termed unconstitutional all state laws which diffentiated students in public schools based on race or color. It ruled that separate educational system for separate race was illegal as they violate the equal protection clause as granted by the 14th amendment .

It was a victorious move towards Equal rights movement. The decision fuelled the demand for Equal Civil rights . The court decision became a landmark and basis of fighting several other cases related to racial treatment..

Importance of 1964 Civil Rights Act

Civil rights act of 1964 was a step towards implementation of right to equality to each citizen and removing all forms of differentiation as guaranteed under constitution . The act ended segregating people in public places. It removed all forms of differentiation based on religion race, sex, color or nationality in employment  

Importance of 1965 Voting Rights Act

1965 voting right act is one of most far reaching piece of legislation in US history. It made US a truly egalitarian society in legal sense. The act removed the descriminatory practises followed by certain southern states which prevented the African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed by the 15th amendment of US constitution.