Courtesy of Library of Congress, White, Edward D., "U.S. Reports: Guinn v. United States, 238 U.S. 347 (1915)," U.S. Supreme Court, 1914
Description
The 1914 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, given by Chief Justice Edward White, which outlawed the "Grandfather Clause" and any "literacy test" enacted in the Oklahoma State Constitution and its amendments, and affirmed the conviction of election officials who denied African Americans the ability to vote. These restrictions were being used for several years to deny African Americans the right to vote despite the U.S. Constitution's 15th Amendment.
Full Transcript of "Guinn v. United States"
Transcribed Excerpts from "Guinn v. United States"
Source-Dependent Questions
- The 15th Amendment, which gave African Americans the right to vote, was passed in 1870. However, this court case was decided in 1915. According to the excerpt, what took place for nearly 45 years in Oklahoma during elections?
- Why was this ruling necessary to ensure African Americans the right to vote in Southern states like Oklahoma despite the passing of the 15th Amendment?
- As you read through other sources in this source set, why were "literacy tests" and "Grandfather Clauses" common practice in the South? Cite examples from other sources within this source set.
Citation Information
White, Edward D., "U.S. Reports: Guinn v. United States, 238 U.S. 347 (1915)," U.S. Supreme Court, 1914. Courtesy of Library of Congress