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The Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States: A Landmark Decision in Civil Rights

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The Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States case is a pivotal moment in civil rights history, affirming Congress's power under the Commerce Clause to end racial segregation. The unanimous Supreme Court decision upheld the Civil Rights Act of 1964, setting a precedent for future legislation and shaping the legal interpretation of interstate commerce as it relates to individual rights and federal authority.

The Historical Context of Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States

The Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States case represents a landmark decision in the history of American civil rights, focusing on the interpretation of the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. The controversy began when the Heart of Atlanta Motel refused to serve Black guests, contravening the newly enacted Civil Rights Act of 1964. This pivotal legislation aimed to end segregation in public places and banned employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. The motel's owner, Moreton Rolleston, Jr., challenged the constitutionality of the Act, arguing that it exceeded Congress's regulatory powers under the Commerce Clause, which empowers Congress to regulate commerce among the several states.
Vintage 1960s American motel with pastel facade, neon sign, classic car parked out front, and a clear blue sky, evoking mid-20th-century nostalgia.

The Core Issues and Supreme Court's Ruling

The Heart of Atlanta Motel case raised fundamental questions about the scope of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the constitutional claims of the motel's owner, and the extent of the Commerce Clause's reach. On December 14, 1964, the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous decision affirming that the motel's business practices were indeed part of interstate commerce and thus within the regulatory domain of Congress. The Court held that the Civil Rights Act was a valid exercise of Congress's power to address the burdens on interstate commerce caused by racial discrimination. This ruling was a victory for the United States and established a precedent that reinforced the federal government's authority to enact civil rights protections.

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00

The Civil Rights Act of ______ aimed to abolish segregation and forbid discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or ______.

1964

national origin

01

Scope of Civil Rights Act of 1964 in Heart of Atlanta Motel case

The Act was applied to private businesses like the motel, prohibiting racial discrimination in public accommodations.

02

Constitutional basis for Civil Rights Act enforcement in the case

The Supreme Court used the Commerce Clause to uphold the Act, as the motel's clientele was interstate, affecting commerce.

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