Research Paper On The Civil Rights Act Of 1875

The Civil Rights Act was signed into law at Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, with the address being 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was a federal law that aimed to protect the civil rights of African Americans, especially in public accommodations such as hotels and transportation. The act was introduced by Republican Senator Charles Sumner, and it passed both the House and Senate in March 1875. The act prohibited discrimination based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude in public accommodations and jury service. However, the act was not widely enforced and faced significant opposition from southern states. In 1883, the Supreme Court declared the act unconstitutional, stating that the 14th Amendment only applied to state …show more content…
Some of the notable figures who supported the act include Charles Sumner, a senator from Massachusetts, and Thaddeus Stevens, a representative from Pennsylvania. These men were both prominent abolitionists and played a key role in shaping the Reconstruction era. The main goal of the 1875 Civil Rights Act was to protect the civil rights of African Americans and other minorities in the United States. This was achieved by prohibiting racial discrimination in public accommodations like hotels, restaurants, and public transportation, as well as providing equal treatment under the law regardless of race or color. The act was passed during a time when the country was still reeling from the effects of the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. It was seen as a necessary step in ensuring that the gains made during Reconstruction were not lost. Despite the significance of the 1875 Civil Rights Act, it was largely unsuccessful in achieving its goals. The act was challenged in court and eventually struck down by the Supreme Court in