Which discriminatory practice was used to restrict African Americans' ability to vote after the Reconstruction era?

Literacy tests were a significant discriminatory practice employed to restrict African Americans' ability to vote following the Reconstruction era. These tests were designed to determine a voter's reading and writing skills, often assessing knowledge of complex material, such as the U.S. Constitution or state laws. The tests were implemented and administered in a subjective manner, allowing racially biased officials to pass or fail applicants at will. As a result, many African Americans, who had been denied access to quality education and resources, found themselves unable to meet the requirements set by these tests.

While other practices like poll taxes, property requirements, and grandfather clauses were also used to disenfranchise African Americans and poor white voters, literacy tests specifically targeted individuals based on their educational background. Over time, the combination of these practices created a legal landscape that effectively suppressed African American voter registration and participation in the electoral process until the Civil Rights Movement led to significant reforms.