What did the civil rights act of 1957 do?

What did the Civil Rights Act of 1957 Do?

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was a landmark piece of legislation passed by the United States Congress on September 9, 1957. This act was a significant step towards achieving racial equality and justice in the country, particularly in the South. In this article, we will explore the key provisions and impact of the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

What was the Context of the Act?

In the post-World War II era, the United States was grappling with issues of racial segregation and discrimination. The Civil Rights Movement, led by prominent figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X, was gaining momentum. The 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional, further heightened the urgency for federal action.

Key Provisions of the Act

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 consisted of five main provisions:

• Establishment of the Civil Rights Commission: The act created the Commission on Civil Rights, an independent federal agency responsible for investigating and reporting on civil rights violations.
• Protection of Voting Rights: The act prohibited states from imposing voting qualifications or restrictions that would deny or abridge the right to vote on account of race or color.
• Criminal Penalties for Violations: The act imposed criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, for individuals who interfered with or intimidated African Americans from exercising their voting rights.
• Investigation and Enforcement: The act authorized the Attorney General to investigate and enforce the provisions of the act.
• Public Accommodations: The act prohibited discrimination in public accommodations, such as restaurants, hotels, and other public facilities.

Significant Impact of the Act

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 had a significant impact on the Civil Rights Movement:

• Established the Federal Government’s Role: The act marked a shift in the federal government’s role in enforcing civil rights, from passive observer to active participant.
• Voting Rights: The act helped to protect the voting rights of African Americans, who had been denied access to the ballot box through various means, including literacy tests and poll taxes.
• Increased Federal Resources: The act provided federal resources to support the investigation and enforcement of civil rights violations.
• Rise of the Civil Rights Movement: The act helped to galvanize the Civil Rights Movement, inspiring more people to become involved and demanding further action from the government.

Comparison to the Civil Rights Act of 1964

While the Civil Rights Act of 1957 was an important step towards achieving racial equality, it was a limited measure compared to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The 1964 act:

• Expanded Prohibitions: The 1964 act prohibited discrimination in employment, education, and public accommodations, in addition to voting rights.
• Strengthened Enforcement: The 1964 act strengthened enforcement mechanisms, including the creation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
• Broadened Impact: The 1964 act had a broader impact, addressing systemic discrimination and inequality in a range of areas.

Conclusion

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was a significant milestone in the fight for racial equality and justice in the United States. While it had limitations, it established the federal government’s role in enforcing civil rights, protected voting rights, and inspired further action from the government and the Civil Rights Movement. The act laid the groundwork for the more comprehensive Civil Rights Act of 1964, which built upon its provisions and further advanced the cause of civil rights.

Table: Key Provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1957

Bullets: Significant Impact of the Act

• Established the federal government’s role in enforcing civil rights
• Protected voting rights of African Americans
• Increased federal resources for civil rights investigations and enforcement
• Rise of the Civil Rights Movement
• Inspired further action from the government and the Civil Rights Movement