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The Struggle for Black Enfranchisement: A Complex and Contested History

Brent Foster

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Published in The Two Reconstructions: The Struggle For Black Enfranchisement (American Politics And Political Economy Series)

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The Two Reconstructions: The Struggle for Black Enfranchisement (American Politics and Political Economy Series)

by Richard M. Valelly

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The struggle for Black enfranchisement in the United States has been a long and complex one, marked by both progress and setbacks. This article explores the history of Black enfranchisement, from the Reconstruction era to the present day, and examines the political and economic factors that have shaped this struggle.

Reconstruction and the 15th Amendment

The Reconstruction era (1865-1877) was a period of significant progress for Black enfranchisement. The 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1870, prohibited states from denying the right to vote based on race. This amendment enfranchised millions of Black men and women, and for a brief period, Black voters played a major role in Southern politics.

However, the gains of Reconstruction were short-lived. In the late 1870s and 1880s, white Southerners began to use violence and intimidation to suppress Black voter turnout. By the end of the 19th century, Black enfranchisement had been effectively dismantled in the South.

Jim Crow and the Disenfranchisement of Black Voters

The Jim Crow era (1877-1965) was a period of legalized segregation and discrimination against Black Americans. During this time, Southern states passed a series of laws that made it difficult for Black people to register to vote and cast their ballots. These laws included poll taxes, literacy tests, and all-white primaries.

As a result of these laws, Black voter turnout in the South plummeted. By 1900, only about 3% of Black voters in the South were registered to vote. This disenfranchisement had a devastating impact on Black communities, as it prevented them from participating in the political process and advocating for their own interests.

The Civil Rights Movement and the Voting Rights Act

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s played a major role in the struggle for Black enfranchisement. Civil rights activists organized protests and boycotts to demand an end to segregation and discrimination. They also worked to register Black voters and challenge the laws that prevented them from voting.

In 1965, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act, which outlawed literacy tests and other discriminatory practices that had been used to disenfranchise Black voters. The Voting Rights Act was a major victory for the Civil Rights Movement, and it led to a significant increase in Black voter turnout in the South.

Contemporary Challenges to Black Enfranchisement

Although the Voting Rights Act has been successful in increasing Black voter turnout, Black voters continue to face challenges today. These challenges include voter ID laws, gerrymandering, and the purging of voter rolls.

Voter ID laws require voters to present a government-issued photo ID in order to cast a ballot. These laws have been criticized for disproportionately impacting Black voters, as they are more likely to lack photo IDs than white voters. Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing electoral districts in a way that gives one political party an unfair advantage. This practice can make it more difficult for Black voters to elect candidates of their choice.

The purging of voter rolls is the practice of removing voters from the rolls before an election. This practice can also disproportionately impact Black voters, as they are more likely to move frequently and to have their names removed from the rolls for technical reasons.

The Importance of Black Enfranchisement

Black enfranchisement is essential for a healthy democracy. When Black voters are able to participate in the political process, they can advocate for their own interests and hold elected officials accountable. Black enfranchisement also helps to ensure that the government is representative of the people it represents.

The struggle for Black enfranchisement is an ongoing one. There is still much work to be done to ensure that all Black voters are able to participate in the political process and have their voices heard.

The Two Reconstructions: The Struggle for Black Enfranchisement (American Politics and Political Economy Series)

by Richard M. Valelly

4.2 out of 5