New York State Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam

What did the Civil Rights Act of 1866 protect without exception?

1. Gender

2. Race

3. Age

4. Religion

The correct answer is: Race

The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was a landmark piece of legislation that aimed to establish equal rights for all citizens, particularly in the context of the post-Civil War era. One of its primary purposes was to protect individuals from discrimination based on race. This law specifically guaranteed that all persons born in the United States, regardless of race, had the same rights as white citizens to make and enforce contracts, sue, and be parties in the courts. This legal framework positioned race as the sole category protected without exception within this particular act, distinguishing it from subsequent legislation that addressed other protected classes based on gender, age, or religion. The act's focus on race was significant given the historical context of racial discrimination prevalent at that time, and it laid the foundation for subsequent civil rights advancements by establishing a separate emphasis on race as a critical factor in civil rights law.