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15th Amendement Proposal
In January of 1869 black Americans held a convention that was later called the National Convention of Colored Men. These convention members pushed for two things, mainly for the suffrage or voting for black Americans. The other was for education of people who were once slaves. -
Approval of Congress
On Feburary 25th and 26th, both parts of Congress approved of the 15th amendment proposal. It was then sent off to the states by William Henry Seward, at this time he was the Secretary of State. It was now up to the states to accept or reject this amendement. -
First States to Ratify
On March 1st of 1869 Nevada was the first state to ratify this amendment. They ratified this after their Senator, William Stewart said it would not prohibit the Chinese and Irish from voting too. This frightened states like California and Oregon who did not approve this. -
Ratifications
Two days later on March 3rd it was approved by West Virginia, and on March 5th it was ratified by three states, Illinois, North Carolina, and Louisiana. On March 8th it was approved by Michigan, soon to be ratified by Wisconsin on March 9th. March 11th and 12th it was approved by Maine and then Massachusetts. Two states ratified it on March 15th, Arkansas and South Carolina. Last state was Pennslyvania on March 25th -
Reconstrution Bill of April 1869
Congress approved the Reconstrution Bill in which it said 15th amendment must be ratified by three certain states. These three states were Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas. It also said that if they did not approve this amendment then they would not be admitted back into Congress. -
New York's Approval
New York ratified this amendment on April 14th. They would later have mixed feelings on January 5th of the next year, they would revoke their approval. However in they would once again ratify it before it became an amendment. -
Two More Approve
On May 14th of 1869 Indiana ratified the 15th amendment with respect. They were soon to be followed five days later by Connecticut on March 19th, they also respectfully approved of the amendment proposal. -
More Approve
On October 8th Virginia approves of the amendment and is now once again a part of Congress. Vermont soon followed on October 20th, the approved with respect. -
Georgia Reconstruction
Georgia is told to be one Congress once again they must pass the 15th amendment. The Senate agreed and passed this on December 17th, the House soon agreed right after on December 21st. President Grant made this law finally the following day, December 22nd. -
Six More Approve
On January 7th Missouri ratifies it soon to be followed by Minnesota on January 13th. Mississippi approves of this proposal on the 17th and is back on Congress. Rhode island follows them the next day and approves while Kansas approves on the 19th. The last ratification in this month would be Ohio on the 27th. -
Last State Ratifications
Georgia and Texas are the first and last to ratify in this month. They ratified it on the 2nd and 18th getting back their spots on the United States Congress. Inbetween them were Iowa on the 3rd of Feburary and Nebraska on the 17th. -
Ratification of the 15th Amendment
On this date the 15th amendment was ratified and put into our constitution. This amendment states that the "right of citizens of the United States shall not be denied or abrigded by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous conditions of servitude."
