what was Voting rights act of 1965 and how was it important
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibited racial discrimination in voting. It aimed to enforce the provisions of the 15th Amendment to the US Constitution, which granted African American men the right to vote. The law outlawed literacy tests as a requirement for voting and authorized the federal government to oversee voter registration and ensure fair and just elections.
The Voting Rights Act was important because it helped to eliminate decades of discrimination and disenfranchisement of African American voters, particularly in the South. The act played a critical role in promoting democracy and civil rights, and it opened the door for more diverse voices to participate in the democratic process. The act was later amended in 1982, which further strengthened the protections provided to minority voters. Overall, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 remains one of the most significant achievements of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.