Civil Rights Act 1875

• It aimed to prevent discrimination in public places like hotels, theatres, although not in schools, churches. The bill stated that blacks should be treated as equals under the law and that they could sue violators of the law in federal courts.
• It was ineffective. Democrats in the House made sure the bill was unenforceable. Act stated that blacks had to file claims to defend their own rights - federal government could not do it for them. Many blacks were still poor, worked hard to make a living - Democrat knew that lawsuits would require money and effort. The Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional on the grounds that civil rights within a state were the responsibility of the state government, it was a clear sign that white back flash had triumphed.