The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, granted African American men the right to vote, marking a significant milestone in the struggle for civil rights in the United States.

It prohibits the federal and state governments from denying citizens the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Despite its passage, many African Americans faced systemic barriers to voting, such as literacy tests and poll taxes, particularly in Southern states. The 15th Amendment laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements and highlighted ongoing challenges in achieving true electoral equality.