The fifteenth amendment, passed in 1870, states that all African Americans were allowed to vote. Before, only white males who qualified could vote. Now, the African Americans who were the correct age and had an occupation could vote as well in the government elections. This law was originally added because others of different races believed they were goof enough to vote as well. The law impacted America by establishing that all the races are equal and even today, everyone has the same rights as a whole.