Voting Rights Act

Civil War ends

Apr 9, 1865

The Civil War has officially come to an end

Civil Rights Act of 1866

Apr 9, 1866

Civil Rights Act of 1866 grants citizenship but not the right to vote to all native born Americans.

15th Amendment

Feb 26, 1869

The 15th amendment passes though congress giving African American men the right to vote

15th Amendment Ratified

Feb 3, 1870

The 15th amendment was ratified giving freed slaves and other African Americans the right to vote

Poll Taxes Adopted

Jan 1, 1889

Beginning in 1889 poll taxes are adopted in many southern states inculding Mississippi which made it difficult and kept many black from being able to vote
*start date is year only

Literacy Tests Established

Jan 1, 1890

Literacy tests are established and used in many states, not just in the south, to keep African Americans form voting.
*Start date is year only

17th Amendment

May 13, 1912

The 17th amendment passes though congess

17th Amendment Ratified

Apr 8, 1913

The 17th amendment is ratified. Memebers of the senate must be elected by the people instead of by state legislators.

19th Amendment

Apr 26, 1920

The 19th amendment passes though congress guaraneeing women's suffrage or the right for women to vote

Indian Citizenship Act

Jun 2, 1924

All Native Americans born in the U.S. are granted the right of citizenship and the right to vote in federal elections.

Registered African American Voters

Jan 1, 1940

Only 3% of African Americans were registered to vote in 1940 due to Jim Crow laws which kept them from voting. Jim Crow laws created racial segregation, gave blacks economic, social, and educational disadvantages.
*Start date is year only