Question

11. What did the three Reconstruction Amendments do?

Answer 1

The three Reconstruction Amendments—13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments—were ratified in the aftermath of the Civil War to address issues related to slavery, citizenship, and voting rights, particularly for formerly enslaved people. Here's a brief overview of what each amendment accomplished:

1. **13th Amendment (Ratified in 1865)**: This amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, prohibiting these practices except as punishment for a crime. It marked a significant legal end to the institution of slavery.

2. **14th Amendment (Ratified in 1868)**: This amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves. It also provided for equal protection under the law and due process, assuring that states could not deny any person these rights. The 14th Amendment was pivotal in extending civil rights and addressing issues of inequality.

3. **15th Amendment (Ratified in 1870)**: This amendment granted African American men the right to vote, prohibiting the federal and state governments from denying citizens the right to vote based on "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." It aimed to ensure that the voices of formerly enslaved individuals were heard in the political process.

Together, these amendments were intended to reconstruct the social and political fabric of the United States in the aftermath of the Civil War and to integrate formerly enslaved individuals into society with equality and rights.