Civil Rights and Civil Liberties - Essay Example

Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Lee’s Resolution: In the aftermath of the American Revolutionary War that began in 1775, many colonies in the government of British North America sought independence.  On May 5, 1776, Virginia Convention’s voting result empowered its delegates to seek a formal declaration of independence from Great Britain. The Virginian Richard Henry Lee submitted Lee’s resolution to the Continental Congress, on June 7, 1776, following the order of this convention. It is also called the resolution of Independence because it provided the United American Colonies independence from the British Crown, and dissolved every political connection between the colonies and Great Britain.

Hence, Lee’s resolution can be termed as an enforcer of Civil Liberties, because its objective was to provide the American Colonies independence from British Empire. Voting Rights Act of 1965:African Americans in the South were not allowed to vote prior to the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This act was a result of continuous public protests and dialogue from the Black community, who demanded political and civil equality in America. This is why it can be said that this act enforced civil rights because it “expanded voting rights for non-English speaking Americans” (Hines, "Forty-Seven Years After the Voter Rights Act, Blacks are Still Disenfranchised").

President Lyndon B. Johnson presented the Voting Rights Bill in March 1965, which was turned into law on 6th August 1965. Declaration of Independence: This was an official statement adopted by the Continental Congress on 4th July 1776, in response to Lee’s Resolution. With this document of independence, 13 American colonies were formally granted independence from the allegiance of the British Empire and the tyrant government of King George III. It remains one of the most memorable and cherished moments in America’s political history, and 4th July is now celebrated as Independence Day in the USA.

Its draft was composed by Thomas Jefferson. Therefore, this document could be referred to as an enforcer of civil liberties since it provided liberation to the American colonies fighting for independence from the British regime.