What was the primary goal of the Civil Rights Bill of 1866?

The primary goal of the Civil Rights Bill of 1866 was to grant citizenship and eliminate Black Codes. Following the Civil War, there was a pressing need to address the status and rights of newly freed African Americans. The Black Codes, enacted by Southern states, aimed to restrict the freedoms of Black individuals and maintain a system of racial subordination.

The Civil Rights Bill of 1866 sought to counter these restrictions by affirming the citizenship rights of all persons born in the United States, including former slaves. By doing so, the bill aimed to ensure that African Americans would have equal protection under the law and could not be denied basic rights simply because of their race.

This legislation was a significant step towards civil rights for Black Americans and laid the groundwork for later amendments and laws aimed at ensuring equality.