Why was the Civil Rights Bill passed in 1964?

Death of JFK.

'No memorial oration or eulogy could more eloquently honour President Kennedy's memory than the earliest possible passage of the Civil Rights Bill for which he fought for so long'
Johnson made emotive appeal to national traditions and ideals and to Kennedy's memory.
LBJ felt that the death of Kennedy prevented the bill being emasculated, like Eisenhower's had been. The nation was saddened and passing the bill seemed an appropriate tribute.
Congressmen knew their constituents were usually receptive at this time to righting national wrongs, partly because they felt it would somehow atone for Kennedy's death.

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There was increasing support from religious organisations after Birmingham.
NAACP, trade unionists and the churches had lobbied Congress incessantly.
Black activists had drawn the attention of the nation and its legislators to injustices. 'The real hero of this struggle is the American *****', said LBJ.
Important Congressional leaders such as Hubert Humphrey worked hard on the bill.

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The Republican minority leader Everitt Dirkson was won over by Kennedy, and then Johnson, and persuaded to 'deliver' Republican votes.
As a southerner, LBJ could assert that legislation was necessary, without being accused of being an ignorant, interfering, northern liberal.
LBJ had an unusual two-thirds of Congress on his side (it's rare to have both a Democratic majority in Congress and a Democratic president).
LJB won over a few southerners by appealing to their self interests
LBJ devoted a staggering amount of time, energy and political capital to breaking the Senate filibuster and ensuring the passing of the act.
Due to his 24 years in Congress, for many of which he was Democratic party leader, Johnson had unprecedented experience in getting legislations through Congress.
The act had increasing public support, which Congress could not afford to ignore. By Jan. 1964, 68% of Americans favoured the bill.
All living Presidents, Hoover, Truman, Eisenhower, agreed to sign a statement supporting the principle of civil rights. This made it easier for LBJ to assert that southerners were out of line.

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