---
title: "Civil Rights Act of 1964: Passage and Impact"
description: "The Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned segregation and discrimination after a fierce filibuster battle, reshaping American law through skilled political"
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/lessons/civil-rights-act"
---

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The Civil Rights Act of 1964

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Lesson 13 min 20 XP

# The Civil Rights Act of 1964

How a landmark law was passed — the political maneuvering, the filibuster battle, and what the law actually achieved.

## From Kennedy to Johnson

President Kennedy introduced a civil rights bill in June 1963, but it was stalled in Congress by Southern opposition. Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, transformed the political landscape. President Lyndon B. Johnson — a Texan with deep knowledge of congressional politics — used the national mourning to push the bill forward, framing it as a tribute to Kennedy's legacy.

Johnson was an unlikely champion. As a Southern senator, he had opposed civil rights legislation for decades. But as president, he embraced the cause with remarkable commitment. 'We have talked long enough in this country about equal rights,' he told Congress. 'It is time now to write the next chapter.'

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