15th Amendment

Definition

The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Ratified on February 3, 1870, it was a significant milestone in the effort to ensure African Americans had the right to participate in the political process.

Related terms

Suffrage: The right to vote in public elections.

Civil Rights Act of 1964: A landmark piece of civil rights legislation that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Reconstruction Amendments: Refers collectively to the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the United States Constitution which were aimed at establishing equality for freed slaves