Woman’s and African American Male suffrage
The writers of the United States Constitution included an amending process to respond to changing times and
unforeseen circumstances. Since the Civil War, important amendments have had an impact on the United
States and/or on American society.
Task: Select two amendments to the United States Constitution since the Civil War and for each:
1) Describe the historical circumstances surrounding the adoption of the amendment
2) Discuss the impact of this amendment on the United States and/or on American society
You may use any constitutional amendment that has been added since the Civil War.
15th amendment—African American male suffrage (1870)
19th amendment—woman’s suffrage (1920)
Sample Solution
Woman`s and African American Male Suffrage
Women in America first collectively organized in 1848 at the First Women`s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, NY to fight for suffrage (voting rights). Organized by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, the convention sparked the women`s suffrage movement. While women were not always united in their goals, and the fight for women`s suffrage was complex and interwoven with issues of civil and political rights for all Americans, the efforts of women like Ida B. Wells and Alice Paul led to the passage of the 19th Amendment (signed into law on August 26, 1920). The face of the American electorate changed dramatically after the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Having worked collectively to win the vote, more women than ever were now empowered to pursue a broad range of political interests as voters.
