The Fifteenth Amendment
Brielyn Howard
The Fifteenth Amendment was created to give African American men the right to vote. This was done by declaring 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, color, or previous condition of servitude." Although ratified on February 3, 1870, the promise of the 15th Amendment would not be fully respected or accepted for almost a century. Through the use of poll taxes, literacy tests and other blocks were created for African Americans by southern states. This meant that African Americans must be able to fluintly speak and write before being allowed to vote, but unfortuatley for most, there were many other disadvantages that did not allow them to learn fluent english and writing. A system of whites-only primary and violent acts commited by white groups also created to supress African Americans, such as the KKK. In the twentieth century, the Court began to interpret the amendment more braudly and aggresivley, striking down grandfather clauses that allowed non literate whites to vote. Some extreamly important changes made to fix this issue, along with later measurs was the Twenty-Fourth Amendment, which dis allowed poll taxes in federal elections, and the Harpor vs. Virginia State Board of States case in 1966, which forbade poll taxes in state elections. These decisions significantly increased African American participation in the American political system. The most most vital change made was the Voting Acts of 1965, which provided for federal oversight and enforcement of constitutional rights in areas with historic under-representation.
AMENDMENT XVSECTION 1.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, color, or previous condition of servitude.
SECTION 2.The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.Read more at: http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxv
SECTION 2.The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.Read more at: http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/amendmentxv