History

24th Amendment:

After reconstruction, poll taxes appeared as a measure to prevent African Americans from voting. On August 27, 1962 Congress proposed the 24th amendment which prohibits the states and Congress from training the right to vote in federal elections on payment of a poll tax or another type of tax. It was ratified by the states on January 23, 1964. The amendment made poll tax unconstitutional. (Wikipedia.com)

Civil Rights Act of 1964:

On June 6, 1963, President John F. Kennedy advised the nation to take action toward guaranteeing equal treatment of every American citizen regardless of race. Soon after, Kennedy believed that Congress should consider civil rights legislation that would address voting rights, public accommodations, school desegregation, nondiscrimination in federally assisted programs, and more. Despite the assassination of Kennedy in November of 1963, his proposal cultivated in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson just a few hours after House approval on July 2, 1964. This act outlawed segregation in businesses such as theaters, restaurants, and hotels. It banned discriminatory practices in employment and ended segregation in public places such as swimming pools, libraries, and public schools. (Wikipedia.com)

Voting Rights Act of 1965:

This law was proposed due to the beatings of peaceful black protestors by the Alabama state troopers on March 7, 1965. A law prohibiting against the denial or abridgement of the right to vote on literacy tests on a nationwide basis was signed into law by President Johnson on August 6, 1965. This act was put into place due to the people who broke this law regularly, therefor having higher levels of punishment if this law was broken. Blacks earned more freedom and created their own freedom groups. This event also led to more support in the “black power” movement. (justice.gov)

Black Power

In the late 1960s and early 70s, a movement called “black power” came about....