Why was the Voting Rights Act of 1965 necessary? Select the two correct answers.
A. Each citizen must be ruled by the same laws.
B. Each citizen must be able to participate in government.
C. Each citizen must have the protections of the Bill of Rights.
D. Each citizen must have equal voting power in federal elections.
E. Each citizen must complete a test or pay a tax to be registered to vote.
The two correct answers are:
B. Each citizen must be able to participate in government.
D. Each citizen must have equal voting power in federal elections.
The correct answers are B. Each citizen must be able to participate in government and D. Each citizen must have equal voting power in federal elections.
To determine the correct answers, we need to understand the purpose and significance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Here's how you can arrive at the correct answers:
1. Start by researching the historical context of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. You can do this by reading articles, books, or credible sources that provide information about the civil rights movement and the struggle for voting rights during that time.
2. Once you understand the background, you will find that the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark piece of legislation aimed at combating racial discrimination in voting. It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson to enforce the provisions of the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits the denial or abridgment of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
3. Next, evaluate each option based on its relevance to the purpose of the Voting Rights Act. Let's break it down:
A. Each citizen must be ruled by the same laws: While this may be a desirable principle, it is not directly connected to the purpose of the Voting Rights Act, which primarily focuses on equal access to voting rights.
B. Each citizen must be able to participate in government: This answer aligns with the purpose of the Voting Rights Act. The Act aimed to remove barriers and ensure that all citizens, regardless of their race or ethnicity, have the right and ability to participate in the democratic process.
C. Each citizen must have the protections of the Bill of Rights: While important, the Bill of Rights primarily focuses on individual liberties and protections, rather than directly addressing voting rights.
D. Each citizen must have equal voting power in federal elections: This answer directly relates to the purpose of the Voting Rights Act. It was enacted to eliminate discriminatory practices that limited or disproportionately impacted the voting power of certain groups, particularly African Americans.
E. Each citizen must complete a test or pay a tax to be registered to vote: This option is incorrect. The Voting Rights Act aimed to remove obstacles to voting, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, which had been used to disenfranchise minority voters.
Based on this analysis, the correct answers are B. Each citizen must be able to participate in government and D. Each citizen must have equal voting power in federal elections.