What did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 do?

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a landmark piece of legislation that focused on prohibiting discrimination in several areas, particularly in employment and public accommodations. It outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, making it a crucial step in the fight for civil rights in the United States. This act aimed to end segregation in schools, at the workplace, and in facilities open to the public. By addressing these issues, the Civil Rights Act helped lay the foundation for subsequent civil rights advancements and was significant in promoting equality and justice for all citizens.

The other options, while related to civil rights and social justice, do not accurately describe the primary focus of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Establishing voting rights generally pertains to subsequent legislation like the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The right to vote for women was secured by the 19th Amendment in 1920, well before the 1964 Act. Affirmative action policies were developed later as a means to promote equality but are not direct outcomes of the Civil Rights Act itself.