Among the groups you mentioned, African Americans gained significant political participation through constitutional amendments, particularly with the 15th Amendment, which was ratified in 1870. This amendment aimed to grant African American men the right to vote, although discriminatory practices like literacy tests and poll taxes continued to suppress their voting rights for many years afterward.
Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans also gained rights through various amendments and laws, but their paths to political participation were often influenced by additional legislation rather than amendments to the Constitution alone.
For example:
- Native Americans did not gain U.S. citizenship and the right to vote until 1924 with the Indian Citizenship Act, and even then, many states found ways to keep them from voting until the 1950s and 1960s.
- Asian Americans faced various restrictions and were often denied citizenship until mid-20th century legal changes (e.g., McCarran-Walter Act of 1952).
In summary, African Americans are the group most directly associated with increased political participation through specific constitutional amendments.