Answer:
The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which was passed in 1870, prohibited the federal and state governments from denying the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." This amendment marked a significant expansion of the federal government's role in protecting the rights of citizens, as it gave the government the power to enforce voting rights and ensure that all citizens, regardless of race, were able to participate in the electoral process.
Before the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment, the federal government had largely relied on the states to uphold the rights outlined in the Bill of Rights. However, with the passage of this amendment, the federal government gained a more active role in enforcing the rights of citizens and protecting them from discrimination. This shift in the government's role was an important step towards ensuring that all Americans were able to enjoy the full rights and protections of the Constitution.