Why did Congress pass the Civil Rights Act of 1866?

Question

to enfranchise former Confederates who had lost their voting rights
to outline the rights granted to all Americans, both men and women
to outline the rights granted to all male citizens of the United States
to support the Black Codes, which granted rights to African Americans

Answer 1

Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1866 to outline the rights granted to all male citizens of the United States, particularly focusing on ensuring that African Americans had the same legal rights as white citizens. The act was a response to the Black Codes that were enacted in southern states after the Civil War, which aimed to restrict the rights and freedoms of African Americans. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 aimed to counter these restrictive laws and affirm the citizenship and equal protection of all individuals under the law.