US Civil Rights Movement: 1964 Act

Civil Rights Act of 1964

• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark law that aimed to end unfair treatment based on race, color, religion, or national origin.
• It made it illegal to have separate places for different races, ending the 'separate but equal' idea.
• The Act ensured fairness in voting by making discriminatory practices illegal, especially for Black Americans who were often not allowed to vote.
• It helped make sure everyone had a say in how things were run.
• The Act also led to desegregation, making it illegal for places like restaurants and buses to separate people based on their race.
• Employment fairness laws ensured equal opportunities for all individuals, outlawing unfair treatment at work based on race, religion, or gender.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

• The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was created to help Black Americans and others who were being stopped from voting, especially in the South.
• It made sure that unfair rules like literacy tests and poll taxes, which made it hard for some people to vote, were not allowed.
• The Act prohibited discriminatory rules that kept people from voting, helping more people have a fair chance to cast their vote.
• It also stopped places from making it harder for certain people to vote by requiring permission before changing their voting rules.
• In areas where people spoke different languages, the law made sure that everyone got the help they needed to vote.

The Power of People and Leaders

• The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were made possible because of the hard work of both regular people and national leaders.
• People like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks worked hard to bring attention to the need for change.
• President Lyndon B. Johnson also played a big part by getting these laws passed.

Legacy and Challenges

• Even though these laws made a big difference, there are still challenges.
• Some parts of the laws have been challenged in court, and some people are still trying to make it hard for others to vote.
• We must keep working together to make sure everyone is treated fairly and has the same opportunities in our society.

Global Influence

• The impact of these laws was not only felt in the U.S. but also around the world.
• Movements for equality and fairness in other countries were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement in the U.S.
• This showed that working together can create positive change for everyone.