Read the following excerpt from the Fifteenth Amendment:

Question

“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.”

Describe how this law attempted to reconcile the
discrepancy between American ideals and public policy.

Large numbers of people march on Washington for the
passage of laws.

Congress passes a law to ensure all people have the
right to vote.
The NAACP lobbies Congress for passage of a right-tovote law.
The Supreme Court addresses the Fifteenth
Amendment’s constitutionality.

Answer 1

The Fifteenth Amendment attempted to reconcile the discrepancy between American ideals and public policy by explicitly stating that the right to vote should not be denied or abridged on the basis of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This amendment was a response to the discrimination and disenfranchisement of African Americans, especially in the southern states, during the Reconstruction Era.

The amendment was a significant step towards equality and sought to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their race or previous condition of servitude, would have the right to vote. It aimed to align public policy with the American ideals of equality, freedom, and democracy.

However, despite the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment, many challenges remained in implementing this law and addressing the deep-rooted racism and discrimination in American society. Many African Americans continued to face obstacles such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and violence that prevented them from exercising their right to vote.

To further enforce the Fifteenth Amendment and promote equal voting rights, various actions were taken. Large numbers of people marched on Washington, demanding the passage of laws that would protect and ensure the right to vote for all citizens. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) actively lobbied Congress for the passage of a right-to-vote law that would protect the rights of African Americans and other marginalized groups.

Additionally, the Supreme Court addressed the constitutionality of the Fifteenth Amendment through numerous cases. These cases dealt with issues such as voter suppression, racial discrimination in voting practices, and equal access to the ballot. The Supreme Court's decisions were crucial in interpreting and upholding the intent and principles of the amendment.

Overall, the Fifteenth Amendment was a critical milestone in the pursuit of equal voting rights for all citizens. While it aimed to reconcile the discrepancy between American ideals and public policy, it also sparked ongoing struggles for equality and challenges to ensure that the amendment was fully enforced and protected.