What did the Civil Rights Act of 1957 Allow?
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was a landmark legislation passed by the United States Congress on September 9, 1957. This act was a significant step towards addressing the racial segregation and discrimination that African Americans faced in the United States. The act allowed for the creation of the Civil Rights Commission and the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division, which were tasked with investigating and addressing allegations of racial discrimination.
Creation of the Civil Rights Commission
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 created the President’s Commission on Civil Rights, which was tasked with investigating and reporting on allegations of racial discrimination. The commission was composed of seven members, including three African Americans, who were appointed by the President. The commission’s primary responsibility was to investigate and report on allegations of racial discrimination in voting, education, employment, and other areas.
Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division
The act also created the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division, which was responsible for investigating and prosecuting allegations of racial discrimination. The division was tasked with enforcing the Voting Rights Act of 1957, which prohibited racial discrimination in voting.
Voting Rights Act of 1957
The Voting Rights Act of 1957 was a significant provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. The act prohibited racial discrimination in voting, including the use of literacy tests, poll taxes, and other devices that were used to disenfranchise African Americans. The act also authorized the Attorney General to file lawsuits to enforce the Voting Rights Act.
Key Provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1957
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 contained several key provisions that addressed racial discrimination in various areas. Some of the key provisions included:
- Voting Rights: The act prohibited racial discrimination in voting, including the use of literacy tests, poll taxes, and other devices that were used to disenfranchise African Americans.
- Education: The act prohibited racial discrimination in education, including the segregation of schools and the denial of equal educational opportunities to African Americans.
- Employment: The act prohibited racial discrimination in employment, including the denial of equal employment opportunities to African Americans.
- Public Accommodations: The act prohibited racial discrimination in public accommodations, including restaurants, hotels, and other public facilities.
Impact of the Civil Rights Act of 1957
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 had a significant impact on the struggle for racial equality in the United States. The act:
- Increased Federal Enforcement: The act increased federal enforcement of civil rights laws, which helped to reduce racial discrimination in various areas.
- Protected Voting Rights: The act protected voting rights by prohibiting racial discrimination in voting and authorizing the Attorney General to file lawsuits to enforce the Voting Rights Act.
- Promoted Desegregation: The act promoted desegregation by prohibiting racial discrimination in education, employment, and public accommodations.
- Set the Stage for Future Legislation: The act set the stage for future civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Conclusion
The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was a significant step towards addressing racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. The act created the Civil Rights Commission and the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division, which were tasked with investigating and addressing allegations of racial discrimination. The act also prohibited racial discrimination in voting, education, employment, and public accommodations. The impact of the Civil Rights Act of 1957 was significant, increasing federal enforcement of civil rights laws, protecting voting rights, promoting desegregation, and setting the stage for future civil rights legislation.
Table: Key Provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1957
| Provision | Description |
|---|---|
| Voting Rights | Prohibited racial discrimination in voting, including the use of literacy tests, poll taxes, and other devices that were used to disenfranchise African Americans. |
| Education | Prohibited racial discrimination in education, including the segregation of schools and the denial of equal educational opportunities to African Americans. |
| Employment | Prohibited racial discrimination in employment, including the denial of equal employment opportunities to African Americans. |
| Public Accommodations | Prohibited racial discrimination in public accommodations, including restaurants, hotels, and other public facilities. |
Bullets: Key Points
• The Civil Rights Act of 1957 created the President’s Commission on Civil Rights and the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division.
• The act prohibited racial discrimination in voting, education, employment, and public accommodations.
• The act increased federal enforcement of civil rights laws.
• The act protected voting rights by prohibiting racial discrimination in voting and authorizing the Attorney General to file lawsuits to enforce the Voting Rights Act.
• The act promoted desegregation by prohibiting racial discrimination in education, employment, and public accommodations.
• The act set the stage for future civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
