6. Disenfranchisement: Blocking the Black Vote
To strip African Americans of political power, Southern states enacted policies like poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses. These measures were designed to circumvent the 15th Amendment, making it nearly impossible for most Black citizens to vote. By suppressing Black suffrage, white leaders effectively erased decades of progress, ensuring their dominance over Southern politics for generations. For more on the tactics and consequences of disenfranchisement, visit Britannica.
