Civil Rights Act of 1866

After the 13th Amendment abolished slavery in 1865, Congress, led by the Radical Republicans, wanted to make sure that African Americans had citizenship and equal rights. To do this, they passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which granted citizenship to anyone born in the United States—except Native Americans. This was the first time Congress passed a law to protect non-White people.

However, many people, including President Andrew Johnson, opposed giving citizenship and equal rights to African Americans. Johnson vetoed (rejected) the Civil Rights Act, but thanks to checks and balances, Congress had the power to override his veto and still pass the law.

Even though the law passed, Congress worried that courts might overturn it. To make it more permanent, they created the 14th Amendment, which guaranteed citizenship to everyone born in the U.S. (except Native Americans) and promised equal protection under the law.