AMENDMENT FIFTEEN

• Let men of all races vote
• Originally made to let African American men vote
• Ratified February 3, 1870

CIVIL WAR

• 1861 - 1865
• Thirteeneth Amendment followed Civil War
• Amendment Fourteen created to give African Americans rights
• 1865 - 1867: tried to seal cracks of Civil War
• Amendment Fifteen followed Amendment Fourteen

PROS

• African American men had a say in the government
• Didn't only apply to African Americans

CONS

• Still not viewed as equals
• People sabotaged voting polls
• Women still couldn't vote!

WHAT WAS THE CASE ABOUT?

• Oklahoma's constitution required tests to vote
• Male citizens born before Jan 1, 1866
• Majority of African Americans couldn't vote
• Violated Amendment Fifteen
• Original constitution let all races of men vote

COURT CASE

• Frank Guinn and J.J Beal were convicted
• They were in the state legislature
• Could keep tests but had to be racial neutral
• Tests can't violate amendments
• F.G and J.J Beal Charged

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