Ch 5: The Supreme Court & the Constitution

Question 1

When was the term “affirmative action” first used?

Answer 1

Executive Order 11246, issued by Lyndon Johnson

Question 2

What is “affirmative action”?

Answer 2

The order called on federal government contractors to “take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin.” Johnson expanded the executive order in 1967 to protect women from discrimination as well. Subsequently, affirmative action policy has been applied to other areas such as business, employment, and college admission.