Read the following excerpt from the Fifteenth Amendment:

“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.

(1 point)
Responses

The Supreme Court addresses the Fifteenth Amendment’s constitutionality.
The Supreme Court addresses the Fifteenth Amendment’s constitutionality.

Large numbers of people march on Washington for the passage of laws.
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.
Congress passes a law to ensure all people have the right to vote.

The NAACP lobbies Congress for passage of a right-to-vote law.

1 answer

The excerpt from the Fifteenth Amendment reflects an attempt to reconcile the discrepancy between American ideals—specifically the principles of democracy, equality, and the right to participate in governance—and the realities of public policy, which historically excluded many citizens from voting rights based on race and previous conditions of servitude.

The law aimed to establish a constitutional guarantee that prohibited the federal and state governments from denying or abridging the right to vote based on these specific criteria. By doing so, it sought to align the legal framework of the United States with the democratic ideals espoused in the Declaration of Independence and other foundational documents that affirm all men are created equal and deserve equal rights.

Among the response options provided, "Congress passes a law to ensure all people have the right to vote" directly addresses the ongoing efforts to create legislation that would ensure voting rights for all citizens, particularly in light of historical practices that disenfranchised marginalized groups. This reflects actions taken to fulfill the promise of the Fifteenth Amendment and advance civil rights in accordance with American democratic principles.