What significant legal rights did the Civil Rights Act aim to provide to freed slaves?

The Civil Rights Act aimed to provide significant legal rights and protections to freed slaves by explicitly addressing their status and ensuring they had equal access to rights enjoyed by citizens. The Act sought to protect individuals from discrimination based on race and to guarantee basic civil rights, which included the right to vote, access to public accommodations, and equal treatment under the law.

The focus of the Act was to dismantle the legal barriers that prevented freed slaves from enjoying these rights, establishing protections that would help enforce their newfound freedom and equality. This was a critical step in the broader movement towards civil rights in the United States, as it aimed to create a framework through which the rights of former enslaved individuals could be recognized and upheld.

While other options suggest significant changes regarding voting and property rights, they do not capture the comprehensive aim of the Civil Rights Act in giving actual rights and legal protections specifically designed to aid freed slaves in their transition to citizenship and equality.