Civil Rights

Definition

Civil rights refer to the basic rights and freedoms that are guaranteed to all individuals by law, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or other characteristics. These rights include the right to vote, equal protection under the law, and freedom from discrimination.

Related terms

Segregation: Segregation refers to the enforced separation of different racial or ethnic groups in public facilities such as schools, restaurants, and transportation systems.

Jim Crow Laws: Jim Crow laws were state and local laws enacted in the United States between 1876 and 1965 that enforced racial segregation. These laws restricted the civil rights of African Americans.

Voting Rights Act: The Voting Rights Act is a landmark piece of federal legislation enacted in 1965 that prohibits racial discrimination in voting practices by removing barriers such as literacy tests and poll taxes. It aimed to protect the voting rights of African Americans.