AnalysisThe history of African Americans has had a great impact on our country. They went through a long period of slavery, discrimination and judgement. They are treated, to this day, as a lower tier based on their skin color and background. They spent many years trying to move up the social ladder, but encountered difficulties in the process. Each obstacle they overcame, such as slavery, was short-lived, as were the next, such as restrictions on voting. The main reason they were able to gain the right to vote was the passage of the 15th Amendment, which allowed them to vote freely. Yet many argue that African Americans were able to gain the right to vote because of the social change that was already expected and the easy opportunities offered to postpone it, such as Jim Crow laws. When the 13th Amendment was passed, African Americans felt the need for change was made because they were finally freed. Then came the 14th Amendment, which gave African Americans even more hope because they were guaranteed due process, so they didn't have to worry about being falsely accused. Their greatest achievement came with the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment. The 15th Amendment states that “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 race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” This was a reason to celebrate African Americans, because they were finally recognized for their significance. They finally had the ability to demonstrate that they were equal to the rest of society. Without the passage of the 15th Amendment, African Americans would still be seen as beneath the lower class of society and it was the 15th A...... middle of paper .......d. Network. 04 April. 2013Banfield, Susan. The Fifteenth Amendment: African American men's right to vote. Springfield, NU Enslow, 1998. PrintNewburger, Craig. “Voting Rights and African Americans.” Voting rights and African Americans. NP, April 25. 2012. Network. 04 April. 2013. “Primary Documents in American History.” Constitution of the United States: Primary Documents of American History (Virtual Programs and Services, Library of Congress). Np, nd Web. 04 April. 2013 “Stephan Beehler: Tweeting the Emory Story.” Emory News Center. Np, nd Web. 04 April. 2013“Teaching with Primary Sources/MTSU”. Teaching with Primary Sources/MTSU. Library of Congress, nd Web. 04 April. 2013 “History of voting”. Voting history. Np, nd Web. 04 April. 2013 “The Voting Rights Act of 1965.” Home page of the Civil Rights Division. Federal Government and Web. 04 April. 2013