Final answer:
The Federal Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits discrimination based primarily on race, and was a significant early step in the legislative effort to ensure equality for African Americans following the Civil War.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Federal Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibits discrimination based on race. This act was enacted shortly after the Civil War to protect the rights of African Americans and to ensure their equality under the law, particularly in matters concerning contracts, property, and the courts. By specifying 'race' as the basis for protection, it became one of the earliest federal statutes aiming to establish a standard of equal rights.