-
Period: to
Civil Rights Movement
-
End of Civil War
Treaty negotiated between Ulysses S Grant and Robert E Lee ended the bloodiest war (percentage wise) the world has ever seen. Over 2% of all soldiers were killed. -
15th Amendment passed
The passage of the 15th amendment advanced by making it a constitutional right for all male citizens to vote. This was a step in the right direction, but jim crow laws made this an impossibility. -
Grandfather clause unconstatutional
This made one of the most prevalent and unavoidable anti-voting laws illegal. Under the previous system, some states required proof that your grandfather could vote, making it impossible for freed slaves to vote. -
Women's Suffrage (19th Amendment)
With the passage of the 19th amendment, women had become fully fledged citizens. The women's suffrage movement fought to give the other half of the population the right to vote, finally achieved their goal. Good on them! -
24th Amendment Outlaws Poll Taxes
The outlawing of poll taxes allowed for higher voter turnout. Not only that, but it further restricted Jim Crow laws. -
Freedom Summer
Freedom summer was the time when the federal government pushed to get African Americans registered to vote in Missippippi. The resulting lack of acceptance (to put it lightly) helped motivate the Voting Rights Act of 1965. -
Voting Rights Act
This finally banned all racial and ethnic discrimination regarding voting in elections. This was one of the final (legal) actions taken to secure equal representation in elections.
