fifteenth amendment

USAGE SUMMARY

"fifteenth amendment" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the Fifteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." For example, "The Fifteenth Amendment was a landmark moment in the fight for civil rights in the United States."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On its heels came the Fifteenth Amendment, which secured the right of black men to vote.

The New Yorker

Before African-Americans were disenfranchised, they were enfranchised by the Fifteenth Amendment.

The New Yorker

The three-fifths atrocity was officially invalidated by the Fifteenth Amendment, of course.

The New Yorker

Soon afterward, Congress approved the Fifteenth Amendment, prohibiting states from restricting the right to vote because of race.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1870, following the American Civil War, the Fifteenth Amendment, guaranteeing the right to vote to former slaves, was adopted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Fourteenth Amendment (1868) granted African Americans citizenship, and the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) guaranteed their right to vote.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The existing anti-discrimination laws, Congress concluded, were insufficient to overcome the Southern states' resistance to the Fifteenth Amendment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Where does the Fifteenth Amendment, intended to protect the voting rights of African-Americans, allow for racist voter suppression?

The New Yorker

When he acknowledged — as well he might — that the Fifteenth Amendment protects all, she said, "I asked a different question.

The New Yorker

In short, because the tax applied to all voters rather than just certain classes of voters it did not violate the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendment.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Claims of Fifteenth Amendment violations must again be pursued through the courts, a lengthy and expensive process that shifts the burden of proof to the plaintiffs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the "Fifteenth Amendment", provide context about its historical significance and impact on voting rights to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid assuming the "Fifteenth Amendment" immediately eliminated all barriers to voting for African Americans. Understanding the subsequent history of voter suppression is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Fifteenth Amendment" functions as a noun phrase identifying a specific amendment to the United States Constitution. According to Ludwig AI, it is used correctly in various contexts, serving as a legal and historical term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

29%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Science

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Fifteenth Amendment" accurately refers to the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution, a landmark legal provision guaranteeing voting rights regardless of race. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and common across diverse sources, predominantly in encyclopedias, news media, and wikis. While related phrases offer alternative ways to discuss voting rights, understanding the historical context is crucial to avoid misinterpretations. To use it correctly, context should be provided, and one must remember that subsequent laws were still needed to enforce it effectively. Its purpose is to convey factual and historical information. Therefore, you may find it within neutral texts and academic resources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Amendment fifteen

Inverts the word order, maintaining the core meaning.

The 15th amendment to the Constitution

Uses the numerical form for 'fifteenth' and specifies the Constitution.

Voting rights amendment of 1870

Highlights the core issue of voting rights and the year of ratification.

The Reconstruction amendment on voting rights

Connects the amendment to the Reconstruction era and its focus on voting rights.

Amendment guaranteeing voting rights regardless of race

Emphasizes the key provision of the amendment regarding racial equality in voting.

Constitutional amendment ensuring black suffrage

Focuses on black suffrage as the primary outcome of the amendment.

The amendment prohibiting racial discrimination in voting

Highlights the prohibition of racial discrimination as a central aspect.

Legislation ensuring voting rights for African Americans

Describes the broader legislative aim of ensuring voting rights for African Americans.

The act granting suffrage to black men

Focuses on the specific group granted suffrage by the amendment.

Federal voting rights law after the Civil War

Positions the amendment as a federal law enacted after the Civil War.

FAQs

What does the "Fifteenth Amendment" actually state?

The "Fifteenth Amendment" prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude".

Why was the Voting Rights Act of 1965 necessary after the "Fifteenth Amendment"?

Despite the "Fifteenth Amendment", many states, particularly in the South, implemented various measures like literacy tests and poll taxes to disenfranchise African American voters, necessitating further federal intervention through the Voting Rights Act.

How did the women's suffrage movement react to the passage of the "Fifteenth Amendment"?

Some suffragists supported the "Fifteenth Amendment" as a step towards universal suffrage, while others opposed it because it did not include women's right to vote, leading to divisions within the movement.

What's the difference between the Fourteenth and "Fifteenth Amendment"?

The Fourteenth Amendment granted citizenship and equal protection under the law, while the "Fifteenth Amendment" specifically prohibits denying the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.