"The First Vote"

This illustration was created in 1867, when Congress passed the Reconstruction Acts and directed states to permit Black men to vote. In January 1869, an amendment barring racial discrimination in voting was proposed in Congress. Most Congressional Republicans agreed that Black men should have access to the ballot box, but many wondered how broadly a new amendment should be worded. After considering several proposals, Congress ultimately passed the 15th Amendment, which focused solely on racial discrimination in voting. The states ratified it in 1870.