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15th Amendment 1870: Voting — Reading Comprehension

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HSS 8.11.1
RI.6-8.1
RI.6-8.2

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This rigorous, standards-aligned reading passage explores the development, challenges, and impact of the 15th Amendment, which was ratified in 1870 to protect African American men's right to vote in the United States. Students will analyze the historical context, the role of Reconstruction, and the ways in which the amendment aimed to address the problems of discrimination, disenfranchisement, and inequality following the Civil War. The passage supports critical thinking and historical reasoning, integrating key vocabulary such as amendment, suffrage, and prohibition, and aligns with HSS 8.11.1 and CCSS.RI.6-8.1, RI.6-8.2. Differentiated versions and Spanish translations are included to support diverse learners. Additional activities include multiple-choice and writing questions, as well as graphic organizers and a timeline to deepen student understanding. This resource is ideal for students examining the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the significance of constitutional change in American society, and includes read aloud audio and Spanish translation.

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"Fifteenth Amendment by an unidentified artist after James Carter Beard, 1870, hand-colored lithograph on paper, from the National Portrait Gallery - NPG-8700112B 1" by Unidentified artist after James Carter Beard.
Source: Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1870, was a significant milestone in American history. This amendment stated that the right to vote could not be denied or limited by the United States or any state because of a person’s race, color, or previous condition of servitude. The amendment was designed to address the injustices faced by African American men, who had been denied the right to vote even after the end of the Civil War.

Before the 15th Amendment, most African Americans, especially those who had been enslaved, were excluded from suffrage, or the right to vote. Although the 13th and 14th Amendments had ended slavery and granted citizenship, many states still created barriers to prevent African Americans from participating in elections. These barriers included unfair literacy tests, poll taxes, and threats of violence. Therefore, the problem was not just legal restrictions, but also social and economic pressures that limited true voting rights.

The Reconstruction period after the Civil War was a time of hope and uncertainty. Congress wanted to rebuild the nation and ensure that newly freed people could take part in democracy. The 15th Amendment was a solution meant to guarantee equal voting rights for all men, regardless of race or history of enslavement. However, some states strongly resisted these changes. They found ways to continue disenfranchisement, or the removal of the right to vote, through new laws and intimidation.

Despite the amendment’s promise, enforcement was inconsistent. Federal legislation was needed to try to protect voters, but many local governments ignored or resisted these rules. The federal government sometimes sent troops to the South to protect African American voters, but when this support ended, states quickly found new methods to limit participation. For many decades after 1870, African American men continued to face obstacles, and the amendment’s goals were not fully realized until much later, especially with the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The 15th Amendment’s legacy is a reminder of both progress and ongoing challenges. It showed that constitutional change could open new doors for democracy, but also that laws alone could not immediately solve deep social divisions or ensure equality. Historians examine the evidence of continued discrimination to understand why further reforms were necessary and how the struggle for civil rights continued into the 20th century.

Interesting Fact: The 15th Amendment only protected voting rights for men. Women of all races would not gain the right to vote in federal elections until the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920.

What year was the 15th Amendment ratified?

1870186519201965

Which group did the 15th Amendment aim to help?

African American menAll womenChildrenImmigrants

What was one barrier to voting?

Literacy testsFree landPublic schoolsOpen borders

Why was federal legislation needed?

States ignored new rulesTo lower taxesTo end the Civil WarTo create new states

How did some states continue disenfranchisement?

New laws and intimidationBuilding schoolsLowering taxesIncreasing pay

What was the significance of the 15th Amendment?

Expanded voting rightsEnded all warsBuilt new citiesStarted Reconstruction