there is a word for what the Grandfather Clause was, but i can't remember it, can you tell me what it was? You know it was a legal law, but exempt African Americans from voting
2007-03-27 17:03:31 · 3 answers · asked by Zoe M 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Everything I've found suggests they were called grandfather clauses. They denied suffrage (if that's the word you're looking for). There were also literacy tests and poll taxes.
Edit: Jim Crow law? I see the answer below me suggest this as well.
It was a form of discrimination.
2007-03-27 17:14:15 · answer #1 · answered by Michael E 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure exactly what you're asking, but I think you are looking for "Ex Post Facto" laws. It's the constitutional concept that you can't make something illegal after the fact. So, if it was legal when I did it, you can't prosecute me even though the law changed. The concept was used in reverse to keep African Americans from voting. If your grandfather had been allowed to vote, then you could as well.
2007-03-28 03:09:21 · answer #2 · answered by Robert L 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jim Crow Laws, I believe.
2007-03-28 00:17:30 · answer #3 · answered by Victoria424 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋