Civil Rights Act Flashcards
What date was the Civil Rights Act enacted?
9th Sep 1957
What power did the Civil Rights Act of 1957 give to Govt?
Could prosecute state who interfered with people’s right to vote.
Why were courts unlikely to find in favor of African Americans?
Majority of jury members were white.
What percentage of Southern African Americans were not registered to vote?
80%
How many of Mississippi’s 90,000 Black population were registered to vote?
Only 7,000
What amendment did Dixiecrats make to the bill?
Amended bill to include juries rather than individual judges.
What was the effect of the Dixiecrats’ amendment on federal government’s ability?
Weaker federal government’s ability to interpret state laws.
What did MLK say about the bill?
Better than nothing
What did Eisenhower claim about the Act?
It was not his own and didn’t know what was in it
Who conducted a 24-hour filibuster?
Strom Thurmond
What was the purpose of Ston Thurmond’s filibuster?
To try and stop the bill
