A Level History - America - Practice Exam

What was the significance of the 15th amendment?

1. It granted African Americans the right to vote

2. It banned the questioning of a citizen's right to vote

3. It established education rights for African Americans

4. It allowed states to regulate voting requirements

The correct answer is: It granted African Americans the right to vote

The significance of the 15th Amendment lies in its role in granting African American men the legal right to vote. Ratified in 1870, it states that the right to vote cannot be denied or abridged on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. This amendment was a crucial step in the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, as it aimed to secure political rights for newly freed slaves and integrate them into the democratic process. By formally granting the legal right to vote, the amendment sought to empower African Americans and ensure their participation in the political life of the country. The other options address related but distinct issues. For example, while banning the questioning of a citizen's right to vote relates to broader voting rights, it does not specifically capture the essence of the 15th Amendment. Similarly, establishing education rights and allowing states to regulate voting requirements refer to different aspects of civil rights and governance that were addressed through other measures and amendments, focusing on education and state powers respectively.