Final answer:
Civil rights activists opposed Southern voting laws because they disenfranchised African Americans through mechanisms like literacy tests and poll taxes, violating constitutional amendments. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a significant resolution, banning these discriminatory practices. Although progress has been made, new challenges emerged after the Supreme Court's 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision.
Step-by-step explanation:
Civil Rights Activists and Southern Voting Laws
Civil rights activists challenged Southern voting laws because they conflicted with the principles of equality and democracy by preventing African Americans from exercising their right to vote. These laws enforced various discriminatory practices like literacy tests, poll taxes, and white-only primaries, undermining the rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments. Despite incremental progress from previous legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1957, it was not until the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 that a significant change occurred. This Act removed the onerous barriers, leading to a substantial increase in African American voter registration and participation in elections.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was formulated in response to the pervasive racial discrimination and disfranchisement in the South, exemplified by the violence in Selma, Alabama, and the obstructions posed by officials like Governor George Wallace. The Act prohibited states from enacting laws that discriminated against voters on the basis of race and provided federal oversight, thus banning literacy tests and other discriminatory barriers to voting. Progressive steps had been taken through grassroots activism and civil rights leaders like Septima Clark, who created educational programs to help African Americans pass the voter registration exams.
Efforts continued despite resistance, and the Civil Rights Act of 1968 further advanced equality by prohibiting discrimination in housing. However, the Supreme Court's decision in Shelby County v. Holder in 2013 reduced federal oversight, bringing new challenges to voter access. Advocates continued to fight against new restrictive laws, which some compared to historical poll taxes.