Eleanor Finch
The Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1870, extended voting rights to men of all races. However, this amendment was not enough to secure voting rights for African Americans, who continued to be denied the right to vote by state constitutions and laws, poll taxes, literacy tests, the 'grandfather clause', and outright intimidation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of ratification | 1870 |
| Amendment number | 15th Amendment |
| Who was allowed to vote | Men of all races |
| Who was still denied the right to vote | Women, African Americans (due to state constitutions and laws, poll taxes, literacy tests, the “grandfather clause,” and outright intimidation) |
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What You'll Learn
- The 14th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1868, guaranteed equal protection of the laws
- The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, extended voting rights to men of all races
- The 13th Amendment set Black people free
- The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, gave women the right to vote
- The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, prohibited the use of poll taxes in federal elections
The 14th Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1868, guaranteed equal protection of the laws
The 14th Amendment was followed by the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, which extended voting rights to men of all races. Before this, only white men were allowed to vote. The 15th Amendment provided that the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, colour, or previous condition of servitude. However, despite the 15th Amendment, African Americans were still denied the right to vote by state constitutions and laws, poll taxes, literacy tests, the 'grandfather clause', and outright intimidation. It wasn't until the 24th Amendment was ratified in 1964 that poll taxes in federal elections were prohibited, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that voting rights were secured for adult citizens of all races and genders.
The US Constitution: Creation and Ratification Explained
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The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, extended voting rights to men of all races
> The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, colour, or previous condition of servitude.
However, the 15th Amendment was not enough to secure voting rights for African Americans. They were still denied the right to vote by state constitutions and laws, poll taxes, literacy tests, the "grandfather clause", and outright intimidation. It wasn't until the 1964 ratification of the 24th Amendment, which prohibited the use of poll taxes in federal elections, and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, that voting rights were secured for adult citizens of all races and genders.
The Constitution's Ratification: A Historical Perspective
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The 13th Amendment set Black people free
The struggle over voting rights in the United States dates back to the founding of the nation. The original U.S. Constitution did not define voting rights for citizens, and until 1870, only white men were allowed to vote. The 15th Amendment changed that, extending voting rights to men of all races. However, this amendment was not enough to secure the voting rights of African Americans, as they continued to be denied the right to vote through state constitutions and laws, poll taxes, literacy tests, the "grandfather clause", and outright intimidation. It wasn't until the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920 that women were guaranteed the right to vote.
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The 19th Amendment, ratified in 1920, gave women the right to vote
The 15th Amendment to the US Constitution, ratified in 1870, extended voting rights to men of all races. However, this amendment was not enough to secure voting rights for African Americans, as they continued to be denied the right to vote by state constitutions and laws, poll taxes, literacy tests, the "grandfather clause", and outright intimidation. It was not until the ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920 that women gained the right to vote, and even then, only white women were effectively protected from discrimination. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 further secured voting rights for adult citizens of all races and genders by enforcing the amendments with federal laws.
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The 24th Amendment, ratified in 1964, prohibited the use of poll taxes in federal elections
The 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which in part guaranteed equal protection of the laws, was ratified in 1868. The 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870 and extended voting rights to men of all races. However, this amendment was not enough because African Americans were still denied the right to vote by state constitutions and laws, poll taxes, literacy tests, the 'grandfather clause', and outright intimidation.
> The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax.
The 24th Amendment was proposed by Congress to the states on 27 August 1962 and was ratified on 23 January 1964. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 made clarifying remarks which helped to outlaw the practice nationwide, as well as make it enforceable by law.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Fifteenth Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified in 1870 and extended voting rights to men of all races.
No, despite the Fifteenth Amendment, African Americans were still denied the right to vote by state constitutions and laws, poll taxes, literacy tests, the 'grandfather clause', and outright intimidation.
The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which in part guaranteed equal protection of the laws, was ratified in 1868. The Twenty-fourth Amendment (ratified in 1964) also partly addressed the injustice by prohibiting the use of poll taxes in federal elections.
