As a subject matter expert in American history and civil rights, I can provide a comprehensive answer to your question.
The
Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as protected under the 15th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The Act was introduced by President Lyndon B. Johnson and was a response to ongoing racial discrimination in voting, particularly in the Southern states.
The main purposes of the Voting Rights Act were:
1. To
prohibit racial discrimination in the voting process.
2. To
suspend literacy tests and other such devices that were used to disenfranchise minority voters.
3. To provide for federal oversight and enforcement, particularly in jurisdictions with a history of discriminatory voting practices.
The Act played a crucial role in the advancement of civil rights and significantly increased voter registration and turnout among minority groups.
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