Following the Civil War, our country went through a period of significant change. During this "reconstruction" era some of our country's most important legislation was passed-- including the 15th Amendment. The 15th amendment, ratified in 1870, granted all citizens the right to vote. But the promises of the 15th Amendment did not become a reality for many African-American citizens for almost another century.
During this time, many states, especially Southern states, schemed to deny African-Americans the right to vote. Poll taxes, literacy tests, and citizenship tests became common impediments. These devices successfully kept many citizens from participating in the most fundamental part of the political process by denying them the opportunity to choose representatives in local, state, and federal government. However, beginning in the 1950s, a movement began to correct these wrongs--culminating in 1965 with the infamous Bloody Sunday march from Selma to Montgomery. Shortly after the march, and 95 years after the 15th amendment was ratified, Congress finally acted to end these discriminatory schemes by passing the Voting Rights Act (VRA).
Impact of the Voting Rights Act
The Voting Rights Act has quickly become one of the most important pieces of legislation ever signed into law. It has paved the way for millions of African-Americans to vote in elections at all levels of government. Much of its success is reflected in the record numbers of African-Americans, Asian-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Native Alaskans registering and turning out to vote and in the increased diversity of elected officials.
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