Happy Election Day!
The ratification of the 15th Amendment made it illegal for states to deny voting rights to anyone based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." To get around this, some states implemented poll taxes and/or literacy tests, both of which disproportionately affected African Americans. Poll taxes were eliminated in 1964 by the 24th Amendment, and literacy tests were outlawed in 1965 by the Voting Rights Act.
Government students took a literacy test from 1964 that can be found here, along with the Test Key.
Thank you to Mr. O'Donnell for making these available.
A group from Business Insider took a very similar test. You can see their reactions here.
The ratification of the 15th Amendment made it illegal for states to deny voting rights to anyone based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." To get around this, some states implemented poll taxes and/or literacy tests, both of which disproportionately affected African Americans. Poll taxes were eliminated in 1964 by the 24th Amendment, and literacy tests were outlawed in 1965 by the Voting Rights Act.
Government students took a literacy test from 1964 that can be found here, along with the Test Key.
Thank you to Mr. O'Donnell for making these available.
A group from Business Insider took a very similar test. You can see their reactions here.