Short Answer 
The Freedom Summer of 1964 was a pivotal civil rights movement aimed at empowering African American voters in Mississippi, featuring initiatives like the establishment of Freedom Schools and resulting in the registration of around 1,200 voters. Its legacy significantly transformed the voting landscape, leading to over half of Southern African Americans registered by 1966, thereby enhancing their electoral participation.
Step 1: Understand the Context of Freedom Summer
The Freedom Summer, also known as the Mississippi Summer Project, took place in 1964 and was a vital movement aiming to empower African American voters in Mississippi. It was a joint effort by several civil rights organizations, notably the Congress on Racial Equality (CORE) and the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). The primary goal was to challenge the systemic barriers preventing African Americans from exercising their voting rights.
Step 2: Initiatives and Achievements
During Freedom Summer, significant initiatives were launched to aid in the voter registration process. This included the establishment of fifty Freedom Schools that educated African Americans on their rights and the voting process. Ultimately, this campaign led to the successful registration of around 1,200 African Americans in Mississippi‚ÄöAia remarkable achievement for the time.
Step 3: Long-term Impact on Voter Registration
The impact of Freedom Summer extended beyond 1964, significantly influencing the voting landscape in the South. By the year 1966, more than half of the African American population in the Southern states had registered to vote, a direct result of the momentum generated by Freedom Summer. This marked a transformative period in the civil rights movement, amplifying African American voices in the electoral process.