Final answer:
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was a comprehensive law that banned discrimination in public accommodations, employment, and voting, whereas the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, specifically addressed discrimination in housing practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a historic piece of legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. It was a major step forward in ending segregation in public spaces and in employment. This act established mechanisms like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to help enforce its provisions, particularly in areas of employment discrimination. It also addressed the unequal application of voter registration requirements, and was justified by Congress's power to regulate interstate commerce.
Meanwhile, the Civil Rights Act of 1968, also known as the Fair Housing Act, primarily focused on ending discrimination in housing. It was another significant step in civil rights legislation, which made it illegal to discriminate in the sale, rental, or financing of housing based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. This act came on the heels of other legislative efforts such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and it aimed at providing equal housing opportunities regardless of race or national origin, and was passed in the aftermath of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 sparked a continued effort to eliminate discrimination in all sectors of life, leading not only to the establishment of fair voting and employment practices but also setting the stage for further legislation such as the 1968 act to target housing discrimination.