What impact did Amendment 15 have on voting rights in the U.S.?

Amendment 15 to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1870, specifically aimed to protect the voting rights of African American men by prohibiting the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." This amendment was a crucial step towards expanding democratic participation in the country and addressing the injustices that were imposed on former slaves and their descendants after the Civil War.

The passage of the 15th Amendment allowed Black males to participate in elections, marking a significant advancement in the civil rights movement of the time. While discrimination and voter suppression tactics continued to exist, the Amendment laid a legal foundation that would be referenced in future struggles for voting rights.

Other choices do not relate to the impact of the 15th Amendment. For instance, granting women the right to vote occurred with the 19th Amendment in 1920, limiting presidential terms pertains to the 22nd Amendment, and the establishment of direct election of senators was enacted with the 17th Amendment. Therefore, the correct answer is clearly centered on the provision of voting rights to Black males as articulated in the 15th Amendment.