Reconstruction Amendments

Reconstruction Amendments‏‎

The Reconstruction Amendments‏‎ are a series of amendments to the United States Constitution that were adopted between 1865 and 1870, during the Reconstruction Era following the American Civil War. These amendments include the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments, which are collectively known as the Civil War Amendments.

Thirteenth Amendment

The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on December 6, 1865. It abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. The amendment was a significant step in the legal abolition of slavery in the United States.

Fourteenth Amendment

The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on July 9, 1868. It granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves, and guaranteed all citizens "equal protection of the laws." The amendment also addressed issues related to post-Civil War Reconstruction.

Fifteenth Amendment

The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified on February 3, 1870. It prohibited the federal government and each state from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." The amendment granted African American men the right to vote and was a landmark piece of legislation in the fight for civil rights.

Impact and Legacy

The Reconstruction Amendments significantly altered the legal and social landscape of the United States. They marked a major shift in the rights of African Americans and laid the groundwork for future civil rights legislation and court decisions. However, their implementation was often met with resistance, particularly in the South, and it would take many more years of struggle to fully realize the promises of these amendments.

See Also

• Civil Rights Act of 1866
• Civil Rights Act of 1875
• Jim Crow laws
• Voting Rights Act of 1965