What is the purpose of civil rights?

Answer 1

The southern states had, at least since the 1700s, developed an infrastructure based primarily upon agriculture. Major cash crops such as cotton proved to be popular products, and made the masters of the plantations rich. However, doing the work in obtaining these refined products was difficult, and so these aristocrats believed it was cost-effective to depend upon slavery. Also, unfortunately, many people believed at the time that people of other color were fundamentally different or inferior to themselves. The northern states, however, had developed booming industries, and possessed a much greater population. Slavery was not considered necessary to maintain the economy. As time went by, the nation was firmly divided into slave states (those permitting the institution of slavery) and free states (those prohibiting it). The issue of western expansion -- whether new states to the west should be slave or free states -- grew problematic, since neither of the two sides were willing to back down. The slave-owners were determined to preserve their lifestyle, and those against them, such as the growing abolitionist movements, were determined that the new states, and preferably all of America, should be free of the vile tradition. With the abolitionist movements' attempts to disband slavery, and much effort being placed to prevent any new slave states, the southern states deemed that the problems could not be resolved, and that it would be better to leave the Union entirely. In 1861, many of the Southern states began to secede. President Buchanan maintained that while it was illegal for states to secede, it was also illegal to use military force to prevent it, and so he did nothing. Abraham Lincoln, upon his election, determined that preservation of the Union was critical, regardless of cost and legality. Not long after this, the Civil War began. The purpose of the Civil War depends greatly on the perspective. The war could be argued to be about states' rights; in trying to prohibit states from leaving the Union through force, the Northern war campaign could be said to be illegal. Lincoln's motivations for the war have little to do with slavery -- and as the Emancipation Proclamation did not affect slave states belonging to the Union (of which there were some), it can be determined that for the Union government on the whole, slavery was not the issue, although it is certain that many fought against the South for such reasons, and that the Union went very far in eliminating the institution. It can also be determined that for the Confederate government, slavery was a critical issue. They saw the attempts to eliminate slavery as infringement on their rights; their intentions to guard this institution are well-evident, to a diligent reader willing to study their Constitution. While it is likely and known that many fought for the Confederacy for states' rights to secession, or to defend their homeland, the government on the whole was formed off of slavery. Thus, on the whole, the Northern States were fighting primarily to preserve the Union, and the Confederacy was fighting primarily to preserve the institution of slavery in its states, with the understanding that this might continue to the western territories. In the end, the Union was restored, and slavery abolished.

Answer 2

The purpose of civil rights is to take a stand against racial prejudice and other discrimination. It's about everyone enjoying freedom and deserving the same rights. It's more about the power of the word than the power of the sword.

Answer 3

Civil Rights Act of 1866

Provisions of the act

Prohibits discrimination based on race, gender, color, religion, or national origin (which includes ancestry or ethnic characteristics.)

Implications of non-compliance

Compensatory damages, including pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages and attorney's fees are available to successful plaintiffs. Plaintiffs may also request a jury trial.

Answer 4

The purpose of the Civil Rights Movement was to convince society that prejudice is not acceptable. Its purpose was to grant equal rights for African Americans.