Final answer:
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was designed to protect civil rights post-Civil War and specifically prohibits discrimination based on race. Although the question might contain a typo regarding the date, and should reference the 1964 Act which includes protections for color, religion, sex, and national origin. Option D
Step-by-step explanation:
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 was enacted to protect the rights of all citizens and to affirm that all persons born in the United States are granted citizenship, regardless of race or color, and are therefore entitled to the same rights enjoyed by white citizens. This act was aimed at protecting the civil rights of African Americans after the Civil War.
However, the student's question likely refers to the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which significantly expanded protections against discrimination. The correct answer to the student's question, considering the historical timing and barring any typographical errors in the date provided, is option D. race.
The Civil Rights Act of 1866 directly addresses discrimination based on race, whereas the later Civil Rights Act of 1964 expanded protections to include color, religion, sex, and national origin under Title VII, which focuses on employment discrimination. Option D