When was the 15th Amendment ratified, granting voting rights regardless of race?

The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on February 3, 1870. This amendment specifically aimed to prohibit the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." The timing of its ratification came in the post-Civil War era when there was a significant push towards ensuring civil rights for formerly enslaved African Americans.

The context of 1870 is essential because it signaled a critical shift toward inclusivity in voting rights following the war, which had brought about profound changes in American society and governance. This amendment laid the groundwork for further civil rights advancements, although it is important to note that various discriminatory practices would continue to impede the voting rights of many, particularly in the Southern states, until later reforms.

Options such as 1776 and 1868 do not relate to the 15th Amendment. The year 1776 marks the Declaration of Independence, while 1868 corresponds to the ratification of the 14th Amendment, which addressed citizenship rights and equal protection under the law but did not explicitly grant voting rights. The year 1965 is associated with the Voting Rights Act, which aimed to eliminate barriers to voting