Which legislative act aimed to eliminate obstacles to voting for African Americans?

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 specifically aimed to eliminate barriers that had historically disenfranchised African American voters, particularly in the Southern states. This landmark legislation was a key achievement of the civil rights movement and was designed to enforce the voting rights guaranteed by the 14th and 15th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

Prior to this act, various discriminatory practices, such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and understanding clauses, were often used to suppress African American voter registration and participation. The Voting Rights Act prohibited these practices and provided for federal oversight and monitoring of voter registration and electoral processes in areas where such discrimination was prevalent.

In contrast, while the Civil Rights Act of 1964 addressed discrimination in various aspects of public life, including employment and education, it did not specifically target voting rights. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 focused on housing discrimination rather than voting. Similarly, the Civil Rights Act of 1957 aimed to protect the right to vote but had limited effectiveness and was more about establishing a Civil Rights Commission than addressing the voting barriers directly. Therefore, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 stands out as the primary legislative measure aimed at removing voting obstacles for African Americans.