Question

guided practice
why did president andrew johnson veto the civil rights act of 1866?
a. the civil rights act limited the jobs that african americans could do.
b. the civil rights act allowed former confederates to run for office.
c. the civil rights act overturned black codes.
d. the civil rights act was supported by abraham lincoln.

Explanation:

Andrew Johnson, a Southern Democrat, opposed expanding rights for African Americans. The 1866 Civil Rights Act granted citizenship and equal protection under the law to Black Americans, which Johnson viewed as overstepping federal authority and threatening white Southern power structures. Analyzing the options: A is incorrect because the Act expanded, not limited, Black job access; B is incorrect as the Act restricted former Confederates' political power, not enabling them; D is incorrect because Lincoln died before the 1866 Act was passed. Option C misstates the Act's purpose, but the core reason for Johnson's veto was his opposition to the Act's protections for Black Americans, and among the given choices, the key context is that Johnson aligned with Southern interests that wanted to maintain systems like black codes, which the Act aimed to overturn.

Answer:

C. The Civil Rights Act overturned black codes.