What was the main purpose of the 15th Amendment?

The main purpose of the 15th Amendment, ratified in 1870, was to protect the voting rights of African American men by prohibiting the federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." This amendment was a significant step towards achieving political equality and was part of the broader Reconstruction Amendments aimed at integrating formerly enslaved individuals into American society as full citizens with equal rights. It addressed the former practices that disenfranchised Black voters and was intended to secure their participation in the democratic process.

The other options serve different historical contexts. Abolishment of slavery corresponds to the 13th Amendment, while granting citizenship to former slaves is covered by the 14th Amendment. Establishing an income tax is related to later legislation and the 16th Amendment. Thus, the focus of the 15th Amendment specifically centers around voting rights and protections against racial discrimination in that area.