This historical, unprecedented, Congressional act entitled the freed Americans of the African slave and chattel slavery trade heritage, whom happen to black, i.e., Negro (Spanish for black color), a unique and specialized, super US citizenship that they be treated civility
“as is enjoyed by white citizens”. 1866 Civil Rights Act
The law gave the federal government, particularly the Presidency, the authority, power and duty to protect the new super citizens in their civil rights as long as the Union “…shall not perish from the earth”.
This led to the enactment of the 14th Amendment, by which The Act was permanently codified and enshrined within the Constitution.
In fact, this law is the first, original, foundation, and therefore, god-father, and source of all succeeding acts of Civil Rights and movements.
The Civil Rights Act of 1866, passed by one vote over President Andrew Johnson’s (D) veto, granted full citizenship to all persons born on American soil, except Native Americans who were exempt from taxation. The law gave former slaves the rights to own property, enforce contracts, and give evidence in courts–rights not specifically guaranteed in the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery.