Why was the civil rights act of 1957 significant?

Why was the Civil Rights Act of 1957 Significant?

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was a landmark piece of legislation passed by the United States Congress on August 29, 1957. It was significant for several reasons, which will be explored in this article.

Breaking Down the Color Bar

The Background

In the decades following the Civil War, the United States had enacted several laws aimed at granting equal rights to African Americans. However, these efforts were largely ineffective, and racial segregation remained a significant issue in many parts of the country. The NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), founded in 1909, was one of the leading civil rights organizations pushing for racial equality.

The Bill

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 was introduced by Senator Lyndon B. Johnson (D-TX) and was passed by a vote of 72-18 in the Senate and 129-88 in the House of Representatives. The act established the Civil Rights Commission, an independent federal agency responsible for investigating civil rights violations and making recommendations to Congress.

What did the Act Achieve?

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 achieved several significant goals:

• Established the Civil Rights Commission: As mentioned earlier, the act established the Civil Rights Commission, which was responsible for investigating civil rights violations and making recommendations to Congress.
• Protected the Right to Vote: The act expanded the Voting Rights Act of 1956, making it easier for African Americans to register and vote.
• Expanded Federal Oversight: The act gave the Attorney General of the United States the power to bring lawsuits against individuals and entities accused of violating civil rights.
• Increased Government Accountability: The act made it easier for citizens to file complaints against government officials and agencies accused of discrimination.

Key Provisions

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 had several key provisions, including:

• Section 101: Established the Civil Rights Commission and gave it the power to investigate and report on civil rights violations.
• Section 102: Authorized the Attorney General to bring lawsuits against individuals and entities accused of violating civil rights.
• Section 103: Established the Office of Federal Contract Compliance, which was responsible for ensuring that federal contractors did not discriminate against employees based on race.

Impact

The Civil Rights Act of 1957 had a significant impact on the fight for civil rights in the United States. It:

• Paved the Way for Future Legislation: The Civil Rights Act of 1957 laid the groundwork for future civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
• Increased Federal Involvement: The act demonstrated the federal government’s willingness to take an active role in addressing civil rights violations.
• Empowered Civil Rights Organizations: The act gave civil rights organizations, such as the NAACP, the tools they needed to push for greater equality and justice.

Challenges and Limitations

Despite its significance, the Civil Rights Act of 1957 was not without its challenges and limitations. Some of the issues included:

• Voter Suppression: Although the act made it easier for African Americans to register and vote, many Southern states continued to use discriminatory tactics to suppress the voting rights of African Americans.
• Lack of Enforcement: The act lacked strong enforcement mechanisms, which made it difficult to ensure that civil rights violations were effectively addressed.
• Resistance from Segregationists: Many Southern segregationists resisted the act, arguing that it was an unjustified intrusion into state sovereignty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Civil Rights Act of 1957 was a significant piece of legislation that marked an important turning point in the fight for civil rights in the United States. The act:

• Established the Civil Rights Commission: As an independent federal agency responsible for investigating civil rights violations and making recommendations to Congress.
• Protected the Right to Vote: Expanded the Voting Rights Act of 1956, making it easier for African Americans to register and vote.
• Increased Government Accountability: Made it easier for citizens to file complaints against government officials and agencies accused of discrimination.
• Paved the Way for Future Legislation: Laid the groundwork for future civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Table: Key Provisions of the Civil Rights Act of 1957

Bulleted List: Key Effects of the Civil Rights Act of 1957

• Paved the way for future civil rights legislation
• Increased federal involvement in addressing civil rights violations
• Empowered civil rights organizations to push for greater equality and justice
• Established the Civil Rights Commission as an independent federal agency
• Protected the right to vote for African Americans
• Increased government accountability for civil rights violations