Why the Jim Crow Laws Came About

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Analysis The history of African Americans has had a great impact on our country. They have gone through an extended period of slavery and discrimination and judgment. They are treated, to this day, as a lower level based upon their skin color and their background. They spent many years trying to advance on the social ladder, but had trouble in the process. Every obstacle they overcame, such as slavery, was short lived do to the next, such as voting restrictions. The major reason they were able to gain the right to vote was because of the passing of the 15th Amendment, which allowed them to vote freely. Yet many argue that African Americans were able to obtain the right to vote because of the already expected social change and the easy opportunities that was offered to postpone it, like the Jim Crow laws. When the 13th Amendment was passed, African Americans felt a necessary change was made because they were finally freed. Next came the 14th Amendment, which gave African Americans even more hope because they were guaranteed a fair trial, therefore they did not have to worry about being unjustly accused. Their greatest accomplishment came with the passing of the 15th Amendment. The 15th Amendment states that “ the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude.” This was a reason for African Americans to celebrate, because they were finally given recognition of their importance. They finally had the ability to prove that they were equal to the rest of society. Without the passing of the 15th Amendment, African Americans would have still been seen below the lower class in society and it was the 15th A... ... middle of paper ... ....d. Web. 04 April. 2013 Banfield, Susan. The Fifteenth Amendment: African American Men’s Right to Vote. Springfield, NU Enslow, 1998. Print Newburger, Craig. “Voting Rights and African Americans.” Voting Rights and African Americans. N.p., 25 April. 2012. Web. 04 April. 2013. “Primary Documents in American History.” United State Constitution: Primary Documents of American History(Virtual Programs and Services, Library of Congress). N.p., n.d. Web. 04 April. 2013 “Stephan Beehler: Tweeting the Story of Emory.” Emory News Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 April. 2013 “Teaching with Primary Sources/ MTSU.” Teaching with Primary Sources/ MTSU. Library Od Congress, n.d. Web. 04 April. 2013 “Voting History.” Voting History. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 April. 2013 “The Voting Rights Act of 1965.” Civil Rights Division Home Page. Federal Government, n.d. Web. 04 April. 2013

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