What did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 address, and what powers did it give the federal government?

• A. Ended racial segregation in all private businesses
• B. Expanded voting rights nationwide
• C. Prohibited all forms of discrimination in housing
• D. Prohibited discrimination in public accommodations and barred employment discrimination; empowered federal enforcement to desegregate public facilities

Answer: (D)

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 targets discrimination in the public sphere and gives the federal government tools to enforce desegregation. It prohibits discrimination in places that serve the public—like hotels, restaurants, theaters, and other public accommodations—and it bars employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. To ensure these protections are actually put into practice, Congress empowered the federal government to enforce desegregation: the federal courts can hear enforcement actions, and the government can condition or withdraw federal funds to compel compliance in programs and facilities. This combination of prohibiting discriminatory practices and authorizing federal enforcement is what the Act is best understood to do.

It’s not a blanket end to private segregation in all businesses, and it doesn’t by itself expand voting rights nationwide or prohibit housing discrimination in all contexts—the latter would come with later laws.