What was the significance of the 15th Amendment?

The significance of the 15th Amendment lies in its role in expanding democratic rights in the United States, specifically through the granting of suffrage to African American men. Ratified in 1870, the amendment prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” This was a critical step in the Reconstruction Era, aimed at ensuring that formerly enslaved individuals and their descendants could enjoy the same voting rights as white citizens. The amendment marked a pivotal moment in American history, as it sought to rectify the injustices of slavery and promote civil rights for African Americans, laying the groundwork for future civil rights movements.

In contrast to the other options, which do not align with the purpose of the 15th Amendment, the grant of women’s suffrage occurred later with the 19th Amendment, the abolition of slavery was addressed by the 13th Amendment, and the establishment of an income tax was carried out by the 16th Amendment. Hence, the focus of the 15th Amendment is specifically on voting rights for African American men, establishing it as a landmark achievement in the struggle for civil rights.