Why do you think South Carolina refused to ratify the 14th and 15th amendments?

1 Answer
May 27, 2017

Ratifying the 14th and 15th Amendments would mean giving African Americans rights (such as citizenship) as well as the right to vote.

Explanation:

South Carolina was a pro-slave/anti-Africa- American-rights state at the time, so they would naturally not want African Americans gaining citizenship and suffrage.


Additional info:

Fourteenth Amendment: All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Fifteenth Amendment: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."


Hope this helps!