What does the 15th Amendment guarantee?

The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution guarantees that the right to vote cannot be denied based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Ratified in 1870 during the Reconstruction Era, the amendment aimed to ensure that African American men, who had been denied voting rights for generations due to systemic racism, would have the legal protection to vote. This amendment was a significant step towards expanding civil rights and promoting equality in the post-Civil War United States.

The focus on race highlights the amendment's primary intent to counteract discriminatory practices that had historically restricted voting access for Black Americans. While the amendment was crucial in establishing voting rights, it is important to note that various forms of voter suppression continued even after its ratification, indicating the ongoing struggle for true civil rights and equality in voting practices.