What does the 15th Amendment guarantee?

The 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution explicitly guarantees that the right to vote cannot be denied or abridged based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Ratified in 1870, this amendment was a significant milestone in the quest for civil rights, particularly for African American men, as it aimed to secure their voting rights following the Civil War. The intent of the amendment was to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their racial background, had the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. This foundational guarantee laid the groundwork for further civil rights advancements and voting legislation throughout American history.