What does the 15th Amendment guarantee?

The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1870, specifically guarantees that the right to vote cannot be denied or abridged based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This amendment was a significant step during the Reconstruction Era, aimed at ensuring that African American men, who had been denied voting rights prior to the Civil War, were granted the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.

This focus on voting rights reflects the broader goals of the Reconstruction Amendments, which sought to establish and protect the civil rights of the newly freed slaves following the war. By explicitly addressing race as a factor that should not affect voting rights, the 15th Amendment laid a foundational principle for future civil rights legislation and movements, although it is important to note that various discriminatory practices were employed in the years that followed, undermining its intent.

In comparison, other options do not directly relate to the 15th Amendment. These alternative choices focus on different aspects of civil rights and liberties that are covered by other laws or amendments. For instance, equal employment opportunities and access to public education are related to later civil rights movements and legislation, while freedom of speech is a protection ensured by the First Amendment.