Final answer:
African Americans first gained control of their right to vote after the Civil War through the Fifteenth Amendment.
Step-by-step explanation:
After the Civil War, African Americans gained control of their freedom and began to assert their rights. One of the first things they controlled was their right to vote. The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, granted African American men the right to vote. This was a significant step towards political representation and empowerment for African Americans. However, it is important to note that despite this milestone, African Americans still faced significant challenges and discrimination in their pursuit of equal rights and opportunities.
Learn more about African American civil rights after the Civil War