Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

The 15th Amendment was significant because it provided which of the following?

1. Right to vote regardless of race

2. Protection from discrimination

3. Right to fair trials

4. Guarantee of free speech

The correct answer is: Right to vote regardless of race

The significance of the 15th Amendment lies in its provision of the right to vote regardless of race, ensuring that African American men, among others, could participate in the electoral process. Ratified in 1870, this amendment was a crucial component of the Reconstruction Era efforts to secure civil rights for formerly enslaved individuals and to integrate them into the political framework of the United States. The passage of the 15th Amendment represented a vital step toward achieving equality in voting rights, reinforcing the democratic principle that the right to vote should not be restricted based on race. This amendment aimed to eliminate barriers that had previously disenfranchised many individuals based solely on their color, particularly in the post-Civil War context. In contrast, while the other options touch on essential rights, they do not directly relate to the specific intent and language of the 15th Amendment. Protection from discrimination pertains more to civil rights legislation rather than voting. The rights to fair trials and free speech are covered by different amendments in the Bill of Rights, highlighting the uniqueness of the 15th Amendment's focus on voting rights.