Voting and Civil Rights Acts

• Activists realised Civil Rights Act wouldn't be enough to get people to vote
• March from Selma to Birmingham (capital) - very violent
• Public opinion supported civil rights movement

Johnson pushed the Voter Registration Act

• Ended 'literacy tests'
• Federal agents would monitor registration

The act was very successful

Proposed by Kennedy - Rising levels of violence (Birmingham), was against racism, and also wanted support of Black activists/people). Prompted by Walk on Washington

Passed by Johnson - pushed against Southern opposition (better politician than Kennedy). Also, in light of Freedom Summer, and violence in Missippi.

What did the act do?

• Banned segregation
• Gave fed. government responsibility to take legal actions in states w/ discrimination
• ensured companies doing business with the gov. had fair employment practices
• Equal Employment Oppurtunities Commission - make sure law was being followed