To enfranchise means to grant someone the right to vote or participate in political activities. In the context of American history, it refers to giving a specific group of people, such as African American men, the right to vote.
Related terms
Fifteenth Amendment: This amendment, ratified in 1870, specifically states that the right to vote cannot be denied based on race or color.
Suffrage: Refers to the right to vote in political elections.
Disenfranchisement: The act of taking away someone's voting rights or excluding them from participating in political activities.