Mr.Nussbaum
5/5/26 - Teachers and Parents - Use the coupon "summer" for 15 percent off of your subscription to MrNussbaum.com. The price is only $39.20 PER YEAR for you and ALL of your students! Gain access to all 12,500 of our activities in an ad-free environment and MUCH MORE. We also offer a month-to-month, cancel anytime subscription for the summer and last month of school.

Advertisement

Remove ad
Home > Historical Documents > Amendment 15 - United States Constitution Interactive

Amendment 15 - United States Constitution Interactive

This page provides the text and interpreted text of the 15th Amendment of the United States Constitution. It is part of our interactive Constitution.

Jim Crow Laws, such as a poll tax shown above, were legally passed in the South as a result of the 15th Amendment of the United States Constitution

Jim Crow Laws, such as a poll tax shown above, were legally passed in the South as a result of the 15th Amendment of the United States Constitution

 

What does it Say?

Section 1. The right of the 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.

Section 2. Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

What does it Mean?

The 15th Amendment prohibits states from denying individuals the right to vote based on race, color, or because they were former slaves. The 15th Amendment, however, failed to restrict states from setting voting qualifications. This led to Jim Crow Laws such as poll taxes and various voting tests, which "legally" and effectively prohibited most African-Americans from voting.

 

Advertisement

Remove ad

Related activities

Advertisement

Remove ad