Which act aimed to remove voting barriers for African Americans?

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is the key legislation aimed at eliminating the various barriers that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote. This landmark act addressed discriminatory practices such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and other often arbitrary measures that were used primarily in Southern states to disenfranchise Black voters.

The Act also provided federal oversight of voter registration processes in areas where discriminatory practices had been prevalent. It not only prohibited such practices but also mandated federal monitoring of voter registration and elections in certain jurisdictions, ensuring that African Americans could register and vote without facing barriers. The significance of the Voting Rights Act lies in its direct response to the systemic racism that had historically suppressed African American participation in the electoral process, thus marking a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement.

While the Civil Rights Act of 1964 addressed broader issues of discrimination in various areas such as employment and public accommodations, it did not specifically target voting rights. Amendment XXIV abolished poll taxes in federal elections, addressing one specific barrier, and the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act focused on making voting accessible for those with disabilities rather than targeting racial discrimination specifically. Each of these other measures plays an important role in the broader context of civil rights, but the Voting Rights