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What was the purpose of the Civil Rights Act of 1957?

  1. To guarantee access to public school for all races

  2. To ensure that voting rights of African Americans were not violated

  3. To promote equal employment opportunities

  4. To eliminate segregation in public facilities

The correct answer is: To ensure that voting rights of African Americans were not violated

The purpose of the Civil Rights Act of 1957 was primarily to ensure that voting rights of African Americans were not violated. This landmark legislation aimed to address the barriers that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote, particularly in the southern states where discriminatory practices like literacy tests and poll taxes were prevalent. It established the Civil Rights Commission to investigate voter suppression and provided for federal oversight of voter registration in areas where discrimination was evident. While the other options address important aspects of civil rights and racial equality, the 1957 Act specifically focused on voting rights. The act laid the groundwork for future civil rights legislation and highlighted the federal government's commitment to protecting the voting rights of all citizens, especially those marginalized based on race.