Literacy Tests: These were exams that some states required voters to pass before being allowed to vote. They were used as a way to prevent African Americans from voting by imposing unfair standards.
Voting Rights Act of 1965: This landmark legislation aimed at eliminating racial discrimination in voting, particularly targeting practices such as poll taxes and literacy tests.
Disenfranchisement: Refers to the act of denying someone the right or privilege, especially the right to vote. In the context of poll taxes, it involved excluding certain groups from participating in elections through financial barriers.