The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 established the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and repealed the Missouri Compromise, causing widespread violence and the formation of the Republican Party. Senator Douglas pushed for the act to benefit Illinois and enhance his presidential ambitions. The act allowed for “popular sovereignty” on the slavery issue, leading to Kansas becoming […]
The Quartering Act was passed by the British Parliament to ensure soldiers were housed and fed during their service in North America. Two Acts were passed in 1765 and 1774, causing contention among colonists and referenced in the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution. The Acts required communities to provide accommodation, food, and drink for […]
The Quartering Act was passed by the British Parliament in 1765 and 1774 to ensure that British soldiers were housed and fed during their service in the North American colonies. The law required governors and authorities to provide accommodation for soldiers, and communities to provide food and drink without compensation. The law expired in 1767, […]
The Single European Act established the European Community and a single European market, which later became the European Union. It aimed to remove bureaucratic barriers, increase competitiveness, and harmonize policies. The act was signed by 12 countries and led to the establishment of the single currency, the Euro, in 1993. The UK did not adopt […]
The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is a US federal law that protects debtors from abusive collection practices. It sets limitations on how creditors can pursue debtors and includes restrictions on contacting debtors, disclosure of debt, and threatening legal action. Violations can be reported to the Attorney General. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act […]
The Quebec Act of 1774 restored some inequities created by the Treaty of Paris, but angered American colonists by tripling the area of Quebec and removing the requirement that government officials must renounce Catholicism. It was eventually replaced by the Constitutional Act in 1791. The Act had long-term effects on the United States, including a […]
The Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act (CTEA) of 1998 extended the copyright term for literary, television and cinematic works and characters. It granted an additional 20 years of copyright status, protecting works for 70 years after the author’s death. The CTEA did not restore copyright status to those works that had already entered the […]
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a federal law that requires written warranties for consumer products to disclose their terms and conditions in common language. It aims to provide consumers with complete information about warranty coverage and encourage companies to comply with warranty agreements. It does not cover oral warranties or warranties on products sold for […]
The Federal Farm Loan Act was passed in 1916 to help small farmers keep up with larger farms. It created the Farm Credit System, which allowed banks to lend up to 50% of the value of land and 20% of improvements. This legislation was part of the Progressive Era, aimed at regulating big business and […]
The Hatch Act of 1939 prevents US federal government employees from engaging in partisan or other activities that challenge the constitutional system of government. It aims to prevent corruption and coercion in elections and prohibits federal employees from participating in political campaigns. The act also restricts federal employees from belonging to groups that are contrary […]
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 aimed to end discrimination, protect the rights of African Americans, and prohibit gender discrimination. It abolished unfair voting practices, prohibited discrimination in public businesses, desegregated schools, and authorized the EEOC to enforce fair employment practices. The act faced opposition from Southern Democrats and Republicans, but was supported by Northern […]
The Communications Decency Act was introduced in 1996 to regulate certain activities involving telecommunications media and devices, including adult content on cable TV and obscene or harassing phone calls. It sought to prohibit the use of telecommunications devices for obscene or harassing purposes and the use of the internet to transmit or access pornography. The […]
The National Voting Rights Act of 1965 banned literacy tests that were used to deny African Americans the right to vote and established federal oversight of states with violations. Poll taxes were also outlawed in 1964, and literacy tests were perniciously discriminatory. The Act warned states that citizens’ voting rights were under federal protection, and […]
The USA PATRIOT Act, signed into law in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, gave law enforcement more authority to detect and act on potential security threats. It expanded surveillance capabilities, increased regulation of financial transactions, and allowed law enforcement to execute warrants without notifying the subject. The act was controversial, with concerns about civil liberties […]
The Morrill Act of 1862 granted federal land to states to establish colleges specializing in agriculture, engineering, and military sciences. Each state received 30,000 acres of land for each congressional seat. The act was first introduced in 1857 and passed in 1862, excluding Confederates. A second Morrill Act was passed in 1890 for former Confederate […]
President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with 75 pens, giving them away as souvenirs. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. received one and called it a cherished possession. The bill outlawed racial segregation and discrimination and was passed after the longest filibuster in Senate history. July 2, 1964 was not only a […]
The Clean Water Act aims to manage surface water pollution, protect aquatic wildlife, and achieve water quality standards. It includes point and non-point source pollution regulations, establishes federal and state water quality standards, and provides grants and funds for clean water protection. The Clean Water Act (CWA), formally known as the Federal Water Pollution Control […]
The Clean Water Act aims to manage and eliminate surface water pollution, protect aquatic wildlife, and maintain water quality standards. It includes point and non-point source pollution regulations, technology-based federal standards, and site-specific water quality standards. The act established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) to […]
The Volstead Act enabled the US government to enforce the 18th Amendment, which prohibited “intoxicating liquor” in the US. The law was passed in response to the temperance movement, but it led to increased crime and lawlessness. The 18th Amendment was repealed in 1933, rendering the Volstead Act obsolete. The Volstead Act was a piece […]
The Stamp Act of 1765 required the use of stamped paper on legal documents, newspapers, and playing cards to indicate payment of a tax. American colonists protested “no taxation without representation” and the act sowed the seeds of discontent that led to the American Revolution. The act was repealed after colonial resistance. The Stamp Act […]
