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Lyndon Johnson and the Right to Vote: A Transformative Presidency

Kazuo Ishiguro

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Published in Larger Than Life: Lyndon B Johnson And The Right To Vote

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Lyndon Johnson's presidency was a pivotal moment in the American civil rights movement. Johnson's leadership on civil rights legislation, particularly the Voting Rights Act of 1965, was a turning point in the fight for racial equality.

Larger than Life: Lyndon B. Johnson and the Right to Vote

by Anne Quirk

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Johnson was not always a champion of civil rights. In fact, he had a long history of supporting segregation and white supremacy. However, after witnessing the brutality of the civil rights movement firsthand, Johnson began to change his views.

In 1964, Johnson delivered a powerful speech at Howard University, in which he called for an end to racial discrimination. He then followed up on his words by introducing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed segregation in public accommodations and employment.

The Civil Rights Act was a major victory for the civil rights movement, but it did not go far enough. Many African Americans were still denied the right to vote, even in states where segregation had been outlawed.

In 1965, Johnson introduced the Voting Rights Act, which outlawed literacy tests and other discriminatory practices that had been used to prevent African Americans from voting. The Voting Rights Act was a landmark piece of legislation that had a profound impact on American society.

The Voting Rights Act has been credited with increasing voter turnout among African Americans and other minority groups. It has also helped to elect more African Americans to public office.

Lyndon Johnson's work on civil rights was not without its critics. Some white Southerners accused him of being a "traitor" to his race. However, Johnson never wavered in his commitment to equality.

Johnson's legacy is complex. He was a flawed man who made many mistakes. However, he also played a pivotal role in the fight for civil rights. His work on the Voting Rights Act was a transformative moment in American history.

Here are some of the key moments in Lyndon Johnson's presidency that led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act:

**1963:** Johnson delivers a speech at Howard University, in which he calls for an end to racial discrimination.
**1964:** Johnson introduces the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlaws segregation in public accommodations and employment.
**1965:** Johnson introduces the Voting Rights Act, which outlaws literacy tests and other discriminatory practices that had been used to prevent African Americans from voting.
**1965:** The Voting Rights Act is passed by Congress and signed into law by Johnson.

The Voting Rights Act has been hailed as a landmark piece of legislation that has had a profound impact on American society. It has been credited with increasing voter turnout among African Americans and other minority groups. It has also helped to elect more African Americans to public office.

Lyndon Johnson's legacy is complex. He was a flawed man who made many mistakes. However, he also played a pivotal role in the fight for civil rights. His work on the Voting Rights Act was a transformative moment in American history.

Larger than Life: Lyndon B. Johnson and the Right to Vote

by Anne Quirk

5 out of 5