Question

During the Vietnam War in the 1960s and early 1970 s, many Americans protested the fact that young men were drafted into the army to serve in the war but did not have the right to vote for the leaders making the decisions about that war. Which amendment was written and ratified in response to those protests? A. Fifteenth B. Nineteenth C. Twenty-Fourth D. Twenty-Sixth

Short answer

D. Twenty-Sixth

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Question

The question is asking which constitutional amendment was written and ratified in response to protests during the Vietnam War. The protests were about young men being drafted into the army without having the right to vote for the leaders making decisions about the war.

Identifying the Key Issue

The key issue is the right to vote at a younger age, specifically for those who were being drafted into military service.

Analyzing the Answer Choices

Examine each amendment option: A. Fifteenth Amendment - grants voting rights regardless of race B. Nineteenth Amendment - grants voting rights to women C. Twenty-Fourth Amendment - abolishes poll taxes in federal elections D. Twenty-Sixth Amendment - lowers the voting age to 18

Selecting the Correct Answer

Since the key issue is lowering the voting age to include those eligible for the draft, the Twenty-Sixth Amendment is the correct answer, as it lowers the voting age from 21 to 18.

Key concepts

Vietnam War protests

During the 1960s and early 1970s, the Vietnam War drew substantial public opposition in the United States.
One significant aspect of these protests revolved around the draft.
Young men, especially from the ages of 18 to 21, were being conscripted into military service, yet they lacked the right to vote.
This disparity fueled the frustration and sense of injustice among many Americans.
Major demonstrations and protests erupted, calling for changes in voting laws and policies.
The protestors' key argument was that 18-year-olds should have the right to vote for the leaders sending them to war.

draft and voting age

The draft system during the Vietnam War required all men aged 18 and above to register for possible military service.
However, the legal voting age at that time was 21.
This discrepancy meant that those who could be drafted had no influence in electing the leaders deciding on military engagements.
The slogan 'old enough to fight, old enough to vote' became a powerful symbol of the movement.
Advocates argued that it was only fair that the young men drafted to serve and potentially sacrifice their lives should have a say in who governs them.
The pressure from this growing public sentiment was instrumental in bringing about a change.

constitutional amendments

Constitutional amendments are changes or additions made to the U.S. Constitution.
These amendments address various rights and governmental processes.
During the Vietnam War protests, the need for a change in the voting age was brought to the forefront.
Several amendments have been crucial in expanding voting rights:

• The Fifteenth Amendment granted voting rights regardless of race.
• The Nineteenth Amendment extended voting rights to women.
• The Twenty-Fourth Amendment abolished poll taxes in federal elections.
• The Twenty-Sixth Amendment, crucially, addressed the voting age issue.

Each amendment has progressively worked towards making the U.S. more inclusive and democratic.

voting rights

Voting rights have always been integral to the American democratic process.
Over time, various groups have fought to have their voices heard.
Initially, voting was restricted to a limited population, but amendments to the Constitution have extended these rights:

• In 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment ensured that race could not be used to deny someone the right to vote.
• In 1920, the Nineteenth Amendment granted suffrage to women.
• In 1964, the Twenty-Fourth Amendment eliminated poll taxes, which had been used to disenfranchise minority voters.

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment, passed in 1971, was a direct response to the Vietnam War protests.
It lowered the voting age from 21 to 18, ensuring that those eligible for the draft could also vote.