What does the 15th Amendment protect?

The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1870, specifically protects the voting rights of citizens 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 was a significant advancement in civil rights following the Civil War, aimed at ensuring that African American men, in particular, could participate in the electoral process after the abolition of slavery.

By establishing that voting rights cannot be denied on the basis of race, the amendment played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the United States, ensuring that the newly freed individuals would have a voice in the government. This protection was essential to promote democracy and equality among citizens in the aftermath of a period marked by severe racial discrimination and disenfranchisement.