Describe the various means used to deprive African Americans of their right the vote during the late 1800's.

One way African Americans were deprived of their right to
vote was through the use of poll taxes.  A poll tax was a payment a person would have to
make in order to vote.  African Americans were the poorest members of society so many
could not afford this tax.  Another way African Americans were deprived of their right
to vote was through literacy tests.  A person would have to show that he could read and
write in order to vote.  African Americans were the least educated members of society so
many could not pass this test.  Many times these tests were rigged so African Americans
would fail them.  To allow poor, illiterate whites to vote, grandfather clauses were
passed which allowed anyone whose father or grandfather was eligible to vote before 1867
would not have to pay the tax or take the test.  Since no African Americans were allowed
to vote prior to the passage of the 15th Amendment in 1867, the grandfather clause would
not apply to them, but would allow poor, illiterate whites to vote.  Finally,
organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan were established which used violence or the
threat of violence to keep African Americans from voting.