Title VII

Introduction
Since 1941, the United States had been trying to pass federal legislation for civil rights. A bill was introduced and died every year, until 1957 when the Civil Rights Act passed ensuring voting rights and establishing the Commission on Civil Rights (CongressLink). That was the first step for something bigger.
Evolution
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was derived from many sources, but primary credit is given to President John F. Kennedy. It was his beliefs that allowed the bill to be passed. President Kennedy began the process of gaining support for the legislation in a nationally televised address on June 11, 1963 (CongressLink).
The Justice Department was commissioned to take the President’s words and beliefs and to convert them into legislative form. Department officials were aware of the importance of civil rights and of the politics of the situation. After careful consulting with both political parties, drafters of the bill avoided any divisive and unnecessar...