Essential Question: How do the issues which prompted the creation of the amendments compare with the issues they are applied to today? The Fifteenth Amendment - The Fifteenth Amendment stated that men of all races have the right to vote and be elected to office.
The 15th Amendment explained in 7th Grade language:
Every man can vote and be elected into office no matter what race
1. Why was it created?
So that all men of all races could vote and be elected. Also, it was made to unify our country more that we could have a stronger nation. (Judy)
2. Was this the people's choice or the government's choice?
The republican government decided to pass it as a reconstruction act, even though the southern states tried abolish it. This made it technically the government's choice, although it was made for the people. (Judy)
3. When was it passed?
This amendment was passed on March 30, 1870. (Judy)
4. Which people liked this idea?
Since it was created by the republican party, all the republicans were in agreement with the idea, and also all the black population liked the idea, as it gave them more rights then they had before and gave them something to give them authority in society. (Judy)
5. Who suggested it?
The republican party made it not only to give more rights to a large percentage of our population, but also to make a more unified country, so that we can be together and all one government. (Judy)
6. Did the people agree with it?
The republicans suggested it, so all republican states liked it. Obviously, black people liked it, as they were getting more freedom. The democrats and southern states were against it. (Nick)
7. What were the people's opinions on the amendment?
The opinions among the people were very mixed. Many thought that blacks should not have the right to vote for different reasons. Some said they were under educated to make correct votes, while others thought blacks were inferior. Those who agreed with it said that blacks were Americans and that it would be unfair to restrict someone by race. (Nick)
8. How effective was it?
The 15th amendment was very effective, in a good and bad way. It helped to give more freedoms to the blacks, but that resulted in violence among whites who were against blacks. (Nick)
9. Why was it important?
It was important because it paved the way for future blacks to be elected into office and gave them the right to vote. Without it, America wouldn't be as free and culturally diverse as it is today. (Nick)
10. Who was effected the most by the fifteenth amendment?
The black population was effected the most by the fifteenth amendment. As the Civil War ended just a few years before, the amendment was what really made blacks true American citizens. (Nick)
Fun Facts-
Thomas Mundy Peterson was the first black person to vote under the fifteenth amendment.
Soon after the ratification of the fifteenth amendment, the grandfather clause was made. This meant that if your father or grandfather voted before you, you didn't have to pay the poll tax. This upset the blacks as they were the first generation of black voters, and it was soon taken away.
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Fifteenth AmendmentCitations:
http://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-were-some-events-that-led-raticifaction-15th-357637
http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h415.html
kids.laws.com/15th-amendment
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/fifteenth-amendment
http://www.government-and-constitution.org/amendments/15th-amendment.htm
http://www.blackpast.org/aah/grandfather-clause-1898-1915
Essential Question: How do the issues which prompted the creation of the amendments compare with the issues they are applied to today?
The Fifteenth Amendment - The Fifteenth Amendment stated that men of all races have the right to vote and be elected to office.
The 15th Amendment explained in 7th Grade language:
Every man can vote and be elected into office no matter what race
1. Why was it created?
So that all men of all races could vote and be elected. Also, it was made to unify our country more that we could have a stronger nation. (Judy)
2. Was this the people's choice or the government's choice?
The republican government decided to pass it as a reconstruction act, even though the southern states tried abolish it. This made it technically the government's choice, although it was made for the people. (Judy)
3. When was it passed?This amendment was passed on March 30, 1870. (Judy)
4. Which people liked this idea?
Since it was created by the republican party, all the republicans were in agreement with the idea, and also all the black population liked the idea, as it gave them more rights then they had before and gave them something to give them authority in society. (Judy)
5. Who suggested it?
The republican party made it not only to give more rights to a large percentage of our population, but also to make a more unified country, so that we can be together and all one government. (Judy)
6. Did the people agree with it?
The republicans suggested it, so all republican states liked it. Obviously, black people liked it, as they were getting more freedom. The democrats and southern states were against it. (Nick)
7. What were the people's opinions on the amendment?
The opinions among the people were very mixed. Many thought that blacks should not have the right to vote for different reasons. Some said they were under educated to make correct votes, while others thought blacks were inferior. Those who agreed with it said that blacks were Americans and that it would be unfair to restrict someone by race. (Nick)
8. How effective was it?
The 15th amendment was very effective, in a good and bad way. It helped to give more freedoms to the blacks, but that resulted in violence among whites who were against blacks. (Nick)
9. Why was it important?
It was important because it paved the way for future blacks to be elected into office and gave them the right to vote. Without it, America wouldn't be as free and culturally diverse as it is today. (Nick)
10. Who was effected the most by the fifteenth amendment?
The black population was effected the most by the fifteenth amendment. As the Civil War ended just a few years before, the amendment was what really made blacks true American citizens. (Nick)
Fun Facts-
Thomas Mundy Peterson was the first black person to vote under the fifteenth amendment.
Soon after the ratification of the fifteenth amendment, the grandfather clause was made. This meant that if your father or grandfather voted before you, you didn't have to pay the poll tax. This upset the blacks as they were the first generation of black voters, and it was soon taken away.