Voting Rights Protections & Supreme Court Cases

The 13th Amendment (1865) abolished...

• Slavery

• Prohibition

• Voting Rights

• Segregation

Answer explanation

The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery in the United States, making it illegal to enslave or involuntarily servitude individuals, except as punishment for a crime.

What impact did the 14th Amendment (1868) have on U.S. citizens?

• It prevented citizenship rights to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.

• It restricted citizenship to white individuals.

• It granted citizenship rights to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.

• It had no significant impact on citizenship rights.

Answer explanation

The 14th Amendment granted citizenship rights to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S., ensuring equal protection under the law and expanding civil rights, which was a significant advancement for all citizens.

What key point did the 14th Amendment (1868) address regarding Dred Scott v. Sandford?

• It overturned the decision by guaranteeing birthright citizenship and equal protection under the law.

• It affirmed the decision, denying citizenship to African Americans.

• It overturned the decision by guaranteeing non citizenship and equal protection under the law in most states of the U.S.

• It only abolished slavery without addressing citizenship.

Answer explanation

The 14th Amendment overturned the Dred Scott decision by establishing that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens, thus guaranteeing birthright citizenship and equal protection under the law for African Americans.

The 15th Amendment granted African American men...

• The right to a fair trial.

• It gave them the right to free speech.

• It gave them the right to own property.

• The right to vote.

Answer explanation

The 15th Amendment specifically granted African American men the right to vote, prohibiting the denial of this right based on race or color. This was a significant step towards achieving voting equality.

15th Amendment eliminated voting restrictions based on...

• Voting restrictions based on economic status

• Voting restrictions based on gender

• Race, color, or previous condition of servitude

• Voting restrictions based on age

Answer explanation

The 15th Amendment prohibits voting restrictions based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude, ensuring that these factors cannot be used to deny citizens the right to vote.

Despite the 15th Amendment voting restrictions on African American men continued due to...

• Poll taxes, literacy tests, and violence

• Lack of political interest

• Limited media exposure

• Complex voter registration processes

Answer explanation

Despite the 15th Amendment, African American men faced ongoing voting restrictions due to poll taxes, literacy tests, and violence, which effectively suppressed their voting rights and participation.

How was the ratification of the 19th Amendment a victory for the Women's Suffrage Movement?

• It gave some women the right to work.

• It granted women the right to vote.

• It limited women's rights.

• It extended rights only to non-citizens.

Answer explanation

The ratification of the 19th Amendment was a significant victory for the Women's Suffrage Movement as it granted women the right to vote, ensuring their participation in the democratic process.

The key activist involved in the 19th Amendment...

• Susan B. Anthony

• Harriet Tubman

• Sojourner Truth

• Ida B. Wells

Answer explanation

Susan B. Anthony was a key figure in the women's suffrage movement and played a crucial role in advocating for the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. Her efforts were instrumental in its passage.

Impact of the 24th Amendment (1964) in the United States.

• It abolished the poll tax in federal elections.

• It increased voting privileges.

• It established literacy tests.

• It had no impact on voting rights.

Answer explanation

The 24th Amendment abolished the poll tax in federal elections, removing a financial barrier that disproportionately affected low-income voters, thus enhancing voting rights.

The main change brought by the 26th Amendment in 1971 was...

• It lowered the right to vote to citizens aged 18.

• It increased the voting age to 21.

• It granted voting rights to non-citizens.

• It made no changes to the voting age.

Answer explanation

The 26th Amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, allowing younger citizens to participate in elections, which was a significant change in voting rights.