University:
Bradley University
Course:
PLS 301 | Topics in American Politics
Academic year:

2020
Views:

207

Pages:

6
Author:

Gudrunecg9m

Suffrage and Civil Rights Chapter 6 Section 3 The Fifteenth Amendment • Ratified in 1870 • For 90 years, States found loopholes in order to prohibit African Americans from voting • African Americans were met with violence when simply attempting to register • Gerrymandering took place to limit the power of African Americans • Democrats dominate Southern politics for nearly 100 years Early Civil Rights Legislation • Civil Rights Act of 1957 – sets up a commission to investigate claims of voter discrimination • Civil Rights Act of 1960 – federal voting referees were to help people register and vote in elections Civil Rights Act of 1964 • Prohibited the discriminatory use of voter registration and literacy • Injunctions used to overcome racial barriers • Highlight of this law was the Selma March – African Americans attempting to register are met with violence from authorities • As a response, President Lyndon Johnson pushes for stronger legislation The Voting Rights Act of 1965 • Finally puts 15th Amendment into effect in all elections • Time period of the legislation extended with the Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970, 1975, and 1982. • Virtually did away with poll taxes and literacy test • Establishes preclearance for all new election laws Amendments to the Act • 1970 – extended law for an additional five years and 5 year ban on literacy tests • 1975 – seven year extension of the law and a permanent ban on literacy tests • 1982 – 25 year extension of the law and placed in provisions dealing with the minority language population