What did the Voting Rights Act of 1965 aim to address?

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to address discriminatory voting practices that disenfranchised African Americans, primarily in the Southern states. Prior to this legislation, many African Americans faced numerous obstacles when trying to register to vote, including literacy tests, poll taxes, and other forms of systemic racism designed to suppress their voting rights. The Act sought to eliminate these barriers by prohibiting such discriminatory practices and providing for federal oversight and enforcement of voter registration and election processes in areas with a history of discrimination. This law was a significant milestone in the Civil Rights Movement, as it aimed to ensure that all citizens, regardless of race, would have equal access to the electoral process.