On August 1, 1867, Tennessee became the first Southern state to grant African American men the right to vote. This significant development occurred after the state ratified the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments, which granted citizenship and voting rights to African American men.

In the subsequent August 1867 gubernatorial election, Republican candidate Parson Brownlow secured a decisive victory, obtaining 76.85% of the vote. This outcome was largely attributed to the substantial support from African American voters, who overwhelmingly aligned with the Republican Party.

The enfranchisement of African American men in Tennessee marked a pivotal moment in the Reconstruction era, highlighting the Republican Party’s commitment to civil rights and the integration of African Americans into the political process. This development set a precedent for other Southern states, although many would later implement measures to disenfranchise Black voters.