2.4

• Which part of the Federal government took action on African American civil rights first?

  Congress
• What was Eisenhower's stance on civil rights when he became President in 1952?

  Eisenhower was a supporter of civil rights but was reluctant to change laws until societal attitudes changed.
• When was the Civil Rights bill presented that faced opposition from Republicans and Dixiecrats?

  1948
• What was the reason the 1956 civil rights bill was not passed?

  It faced southern resistance led by Strom Thurmond.
• What happened to the weakened version of the civil rights bill proposed in 1957?

  It was passed with the help of Lyndon Johnson despite high opposition.
• What was the significance of the 1957 Civil Rights Act?

  It was the first time in 82 years that the Federal government acted to improve the civil rights of African Americans in law.
• How did civil rights activists react to the 1957 Civil Rights Act?

  They were disappointed because it had little immediate impact.
• What was the outcome of the civil rights act passed in 1960 regarding registered African American voters?

  It only increased the number of registered African American voters by 3%.