A Level History - America - Practice Exam

Which of the following actions characterized the 1875 Civil Rights Act?

1. Established women's suffrage

2. Guaranteed equal treatment in public accommodations

3. Decreased immigration to the United States

4. Supported prohibition of alcohol

The correct answer is: Guaranteed equal treatment in public accommodations

The 1875 Civil Rights Act specifically aimed to guarantee equal treatment in public accommodations, such as hotels, theaters, and other venues. This legislation was a significant advancement in civil rights during Reconstruction, as it sought to address the pervasive discrimination faced by African Americans in various public spaces. The Act made it illegal for any person to deny anyone access to public accommodations based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude, thereby promoting a fundamental principle of equality that would later influence future civil rights legislation. In contrast, the other actions represented in the choices do not relate to the intent or provisions of the 1875 Civil Rights Act. Women's suffrage became a major movement, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but it was not addressed by the 1875 Act. Immigration policies and debates around them were separate issues that would evolve in the following decades, and prohibition of alcohol was primarily the focus of movements that gained momentum in the 20th century, culminating in the 18th Amendment in 1920. Therefore, the choice that accurately reflects the nature of the 1875 Civil Rights Act is the one that emphasizes guaranteeing equal treatment in public accommodations.