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Civil Rights Act/ Movement
In 1896 The Civil Rights act was passed. This alows citizenship to all Native- Born Afrcan Americans. On May 18 the Supreme Court rules that "seprate but equal" will be catorgrized by Constitutional Guidelines. This law sets a base for the Jim Crow laws to build on, and will evedentually set back cival rights for african americans for at least a decade. Soem of the goals for the movement were no more racial discrimination, employment, and education for all. -
Women"s Rights- 19th Amendment
On August 26, Secretary of State, Bainbridge Colby signed the 19th amentdemt. This amendmetn states "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 sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation." After many years of hard work and deminstration, women in America have earned the right to vote for the first time. -
Only 3% of Eligible African American's are Allowed to vote
In 1940 Jim Crow Laws and litercy tests were put into place to keep blacks from voting. As you can see in the picture the test consitis of 6 diffrent questions that are based on a 5-grade reading level. These questions were created to be very confusing to keep as many blacks from voting as possible. Just because a person does not know how to read becase they never got the chance doesn' mean they don't have an ligitime opinion about the leaders in their country. -
Poll taxes are outlawed
On the 27th of August 1962 poll taxes in America were outlawed. Poll taxes are when a voter has to pay a ceretain fee before they vote. This was very unfair for certain individuals that do not have the extra money to vote. Everybody desrves the right to vote even if they do not posses the resouses or money to do so. This is why I think that this was a great step forward in voting history becasue now more people can vote and express their feelings. -
Voting Rights act is passed
This act was created to enforce the 15th amendment. This amendment states "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 created tension between African Americans and the government. In 1965 many riots and demonstrations occurred, this brought a renewed attention back to the issue of voting rights. -
Voting Age Lowered to 18
Before this date only citizens that are 21 or older could vote. Senator Kennedy argured that a young man that can be drafted into war should be able to vote. Kennedy sensed that the Congress had the same ideas as him and would support him in the endeavor to give 18 year olds the right to vote. So he took this idea to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments. Later it was passed and millions of young men were granted the right to vote. -
When Will Felons Get to Vote?
On Tuesday Morning, Attoney General officer Eric H. Holder made a plea to the states to overturen laws restricting felons from voting. Later it was found that Mr. Holder had no athority to enact the changes that he had called for earlier. He stated “Those swept up in this system too often had their rights rescinded, their dignity diminished, and the full measure of their citizenship revoked for the rest of their lives,” -
First to voters since the Reconstitution
In 1972 the first two african americans to be elected into congress since the Reconstruction. These two individuals were Barbara Jordon of Houston. Also Andrew Young of Atlanta Georgia was one of the first to be elected into congress. This was a major step in America because these two people paved the way for many other blacks to be elected into congress.
