What does the Civil Rights Act of 1866/1871 aim to abolish?

The Civil Rights Act of 1866, which was later reinforced by the Civil Rights Act of 1871, primarily aims to abolish slavery and establish equal rights for all citizens, particularly focusing on addressing the injustices faced by formerly enslaved individuals. The act declared that all individuals born in the United States are citizens and are entitled to the same rights as any other citizen, effectively ensuring that Black individuals and others who had been discriminated against due to their former status as slaves would receive legal recognition and protection under the law.

This legal framework was a significant step towards dismantling the institutions that upheld slavery and provided a foundation for subsequent civil rights legislation. While the act also laid early groundwork for addressing other forms of discrimination and segregation, its primary focus was on abolishing the remnants of slavery and protecting the rights of newly emancipated citizens.