1 African American Voting Rights : The 15th Amendment Reconstruction Era

2 15 th Amendment Article XV. Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude— Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. The First Colored Senator and Representatives, in the 41st and 42nd Congress of the United States. Washington: Currier & Ives, Elective Franchise - The rights of Citizens to vote in public elections.

3 Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) Dred Scott sued for his freedom when being held against his will. He argued that since he was a resident of two free states, that he was indeed a free man. Found to have no standing (NOT A CITIZEN) Could not ban slavery in the territories.

4 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution African American’s Right to Vote TOP: The photo of the doucment: LEFT:

5 Reconstruction Era Reconstruction generally refers to the period in U.S. History immediately following the Civil War (1865 – 1877) Reconstruction, also known as Radical Reconstruction. During this time the South was in political, social, and economic turmoil, after the Confederate states had seceded. In response, the Union attempted to regain order in the Confederate states.

6 Voter Discrimination During Reconstruction Grandfather Clause Literacy Test Poll Taxes

7 Intimidation and death After Reconstruction white supremacist did everything possible to prevent Blacks from voting. Soldiers had to protect black men that voted Copyright 1997 State Historical Society of Wisconsin

8 White Supremacy Jim Crow, Intimidation and Fear Segregation

9 Jim Crow Laws cont Rutherford B. Hayes Rolls back all progress Beginning of Separate, but Equal Institution of Black Codes

10 Plessy v. Ferguson A young black man who was riding on a train up north. When the train crossed the Mason Dixie line, he was told by the train conductor to move to the back of the train. He refused and was removed from the train. He sued the train company under the Equal Protection Clause. Unfortunately, Plessy did not win. The courts believe that as long as the facilities were equal, people could have separate facilities based on color. They ruled: