What event did the Selma to Montgomery marches directly contribute to?

The Selma to Montgomery marches were pivotal in drawing national attention to the struggle for voting rights for African Americans in the South. These marches, which occurred in March 1965, highlighted the violent resistance faced by civil rights activists. The brutal response from law enforcement, particularly during the march known as "Bloody Sunday," galvanized public opinion and increased pressure on the federal government to act.

In the aftermath of the marches, the Johnson administration pushed for legislative reforms, leading to the introduction and eventual passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This landmark legislation aimed to eliminate legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote. The act outlawed discriminatory practices such as literacy tests and provided for federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of racial discrimination. Thus, the Selma to Montgomery marches played a crucial direct role in contributing to the enactment of the Voting Rights Act, fundamentally transforming the landscape of American voting rights.