As a subject matter expert in American history, I can provide you with information on the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Voting Rights Act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965. This landmark legislation was designed to enforce the voting rights that were secured by the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which had been adopted in 1870. The Act specifically targeted racial discrimination in voting, which was prevalent in certain regions of the United States, particularly in the South.
The Act prohibited the use of discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and poll taxes, which were used to disenfranchise minority voters. It also provided for oversight and enforcement by the federal government to ensure that the right to vote was protected for all citizens regardless of race or color.
The significance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 lies in its impact on the political landscape of the United States. It played a crucial role in the advancement of civil rights and the empowerment of minority communities, particularly African Americans in the South, who had been historically marginalized and denied their right to vote.
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