Some women's rights activists viewed the Fifteenth Amendment's ratification as a setback because
A it expanded voting rights for African Americans, but denied women the same rights
B it expanded voting rights for women, but denied them equal protection under the law
C it imposed federal due process restrictions, but allowed states to discriminate against women
D it imposed due process restrictions on the states, but excluded women from the electorate
The correct answer is A) it expanded voting rights for African Americans, but denied women the same rights.
The correct answer is A. The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, expanded voting rights for African American men by prohibiting the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. However, it did not extend the right to vote to women, which some women's rights activists viewed as a setback. They believed that while African American men were granted the right to vote, women were still denied the same rights.
To determine the correct answer, we need to analyze the key components of the Fifteenth Amendment and its impact on women's rights activists.
The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, states that "the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." This amendment aimed to secure voting rights for African American men, specifically by prohibiting racial discrimination in voting.
Based on this information, we can now evaluate the options:
A) "It expanded voting rights for African Americans, but denied women the same rights." This option accurately represents the viewpoint of some women's rights activists. They believed that while the Fifteenth Amendment granted voting rights to African American men, it excluded women from the electorate, thus perpetuating gender discrimination.
B) "It expanded voting rights for women, but denied them equal protection under the law." This option is incorrect. The Fifteenth Amendment did not grant voting rights to women; it specifically addressed racial discrimination in voting.
C) "It imposed federal due process restrictions, but allowed states to discriminate against women." This option is also incorrect. The Fifteenth Amendment primarily focused on voting rights and did not impose due process restrictions or specifically address women's rights.
D) "It imposed due process restrictions on the states, but excluded women from the electorate." This option is incorrect as well. The Fifteenth Amendment did not impose due process restrictions on the states; it primarily aimed to prohibit racial discrimination in voting.
Therefore, the correct answer is A) "It expanded voting rights for African Americans, but denied women the same rights."