How does the voting rights act of nineteen sixty five connect to black suffrage laws passed after the civil war
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 builds on the black suffrage laws passed after the Civil War, particularly the Fifteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which granted African American men the right to vote in 1870.
The black suffrage laws passed after the Civil War were meant to ensure that African Americans were able to exercise their right to vote. However, despite these laws being in place, many states implemented discriminatory practices such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and intimidation tactics to prevent African Americans from voting.
The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to put an end to these discriminatory practices and further protect the voting rights of African Americans. It specifically targeted states with a history of racial discrimination in voting by implementing measures such as federal oversight of voting practices, prohibiting literacy tests, and ensuring that all citizens have equal access to the voting process.
Overall, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 built on the foundation laid by the black suffrage laws passed after the Civil War by further protecting the voting rights of African Americans and working towards creating a more inclusive and equitable electoral process.