Lesson 22 of 84 · The Constitution
⭐ 30 XP🏛️ Civic SquareThe 15th Amendment: Right to Vote
The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, granted African American men the right to vote.
🎯 Your mission
Learn how the rule got made — and who it serves.
⚡ The twist
Not voting is also a vote.
Mind = Blown
🤯 Some laws on the books are over 800 years old and still apply.
Then & Now
🏛️ The rule you'll meet today is still on the books — sort of.
The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, granted African American men the right to vote. It states that the right to vote cannot be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This amendment was a significant step forward in the fight for civil rights, as it aimed to ensure that all citizens could participate in the democratic process. However, many states found ways to restrict voting rights through laws like literacy tests and poll taxes, leading to ongoing struggles for equality.
Key Facts
The 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870.
It prohibits denying the right to vote based on race.
African American men gained voting rights as a result of this amendment.
Timeline
Women gain the right to vote (19th Amendment)
The Great Depression begins
The U.S. enters World War II
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2What did the 15th Amendment accomplish?
Why this still matters
Your school has rules. Where do they come from? Who decides them?
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Make up a fair rule for your family. Pitch it.
For the dinner table
“What's one rule at our house you'd change if you could vote on it?”
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