Which law gave all citizens the same right to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal property?

• A. Civil Rights Act of 1964
• B. Fair Housing Act
• C. Civil Rights Act of 1866
• D. Homestead Act

Answer: (C)

Property rights for all citizens under federal law is the concept tested here. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 provides that all citizens shall have the same right in every state and territory to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal property, regardless of race. This was enacted during Reconstruction to secure equal civil rights after slavery and laid a foundation for later protections, later reinforced by the 14th Amendment. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 focuses on eliminating discrimination in employment and public accommodations, not on universal property rights; the Fair Housing Act targets housing discrimination specifically; the Homestead Act offered land to settlers but did not guarantee universal property rights to all citizens.