Leasing License Practice Exam

What did the Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibit?

1. Discrimination based on income

2. Discrimination based on race

3. Discrimination in commercial transactions

4. Discrimination in employment practices

The correct answer is: Discrimination based on race

The Civil Rights Act of 1866 specifically aimed to prohibit discrimination based on race. It was one of the first pieces of federal legislation that explicitly outlawed racial discrimination in the United States, particularly in the context of property rights and contracts. This legislation was passed shortly after the Civil War and was intended to protect the civil rights of newly freed African Americans, affirming that all citizens, regardless of race, had the same rights to enter into and enforce contracts, own property, and enjoy the same protections under the law. This foundational law laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements and was part of a broader movement to ensure equality for all citizens, specifically targeting the systemic injustices faced by African Americans at the time. It is important to understand that while the act primarily addressed issues of race, other forms of discrimination were not encompassed within its provisions, making its specific focus on race particularly significant in the context of American civil rights history.