1945-1964 Research Paper

“To what extent was the Federal Government responsible for improving the status of black people in the USA in the years 1945 - 1964?” Most People would presume that the Federal Government of the USA would have done the most for Civil Rights, as they are in charge and run all of the States in America. However this is wrong as most of the Presidents did not pass Civil Rights Acts straight away, in fact it took them at least a year into the Presidency to even attempt to pass an act through Congress. This was due to the fact that Congress could simply prevent the President from being able to pass an Act or Law, as Congress has to vote on whether to pass or decline the Act or Law. I believe that the Federal Government, especially the
This Act changed the face of America as: Public transport; Hotels; Swimming pools and Restaurants were no longer segregated. This act also saw the end of segregation in employment. But the Acts he passed were seen as JFK’s Legacy, as he wanted to end segregation for Blacks, this meant that Congress did not oppose passing the Acts. Johnson also passed the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which outlawed tests in the South which could prevent an American from being allowed to vote. JFK himself was in favor of civil rights, but he was not very effective at working with Congress to get legislation passed. On the other hand, LBJ was a master at pushing legislation through Congress. Kennedy supported the Civil Rights Bill, but he couldn't get it through Congress, when Johnson became president, he did a lot of arm twisting and politicking in Congress. The one thing that got in every Presidents way was Congress, as Congress had the power to decline an Act. This leads me onto my next point about the other half of the Federal Government – the Supreme Court and Congress. Overall the US presidents were not very successful in passing acts and doing something about the