Legal Definitions - Fifteenth Amendment

The Fifteenth Amendment is a change to the United States Constitution that was approved in 1870. It ensures that all citizens have the right to vote, regardless of their race, skin color, or whether they were once enslaved.

For example, before the Fifteenth Amendment was passed, African Americans were often prevented from voting because of their skin color. But after the amendment was ratified, they were legally allowed to vote just like any other citizen.

The Fifteenth Amendment is an important part of American history because it helped to ensure that all citizens have equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their background or ethnicity.