The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a landmark legislative act aimed at securing voting rights for minorities, particularly African Americans disenfranchised in the South. It addressed practices that were suppressing voter registration and participation, such as literacy tests and poll taxes. The act's provisions included federal oversight of voter registration in areas with a history of discrimination and made it illegal to discriminate in voting based on race. The act significantly increased voter registration and participation among minorities, representing a crucial step forward in the civil rights movement, as it aimed to fulfill the promise of the 15th Amendment.