What legislation was passed to secure voting rights for African Americans after the Civil War?

The 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, was crucial in securing voting rights for African Americans following the Civil War. This amendment specifically prohibits the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." The passage of the 15th Amendment was part of the broader Reconstruction efforts aimed at integrating formerly enslaved individuals into American civic life, ensuring that their right to participate in elections was constitutionally protected.

While the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was a significant milestone in enforcing the voting rights already granted by the 15th Amendment and aimed to eliminate racial discrimination at the ballot box, it was not the original legislation that secured those rights. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 dealt more broadly with discrimination in public accommodations and employment rather than explicitly focusing on voting rights. The Reconstruction Act of 1867 primarily set the terms under which Southern states could re-enter the Union and dealt with issues of military governance rather than voting rights directly. Thus, the 15th Amendment stands out as the foundational legislation specifically aimed at ensuring that African American men had the legal right to vote.