What does the 15th Amendment protect against?

The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution specifically addresses voting rights and explicitly prohibits the denial of the right to vote based on race or previous condition of servitude. Ratified in 1870, this amendment was a significant step in the civil rights movement, aimed at ensuring that African American males, in particular, could exercise their franchise following the Civil War.

This amendment was particularly important during a time when discriminatory practices such as literacy tests, poll taxes, and other means were used to disenfranchise Black voters despite the constitutional guarantee. By clearly stating that the right to vote cannot be denied on the basis of race, the 15th Amendment laid the groundwork for future civil rights advancements and played a crucial role in the fight against racial discrimination in voting.

Other options present concepts that, while important in the context of civil rights, are not covered by the 15th Amendment. The denial of voting rights based on gender pertains to the 19th Amendment, which specifically addresses women's suffrage. The denial of citizenship based on race is covered under other legal principles and amendments, primarily the 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship rights regardless of race. The right to free speech is protected by the First Amendment and is unrelated to voting rights.