officially abolished slavery in all areas of the United States
granted African American men the right to vote
granted African Americans in the United States citizenship
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified on December 6, 1865, officially abolished slavery in all areas of the United States. This historic amendment marked the end of legal slavery in the United States, ensuring freedom for African Americans.
The 15th Amendment, ratified on February 3, 1870, granted African American men the right to vote. This amendment prohibited racial discrimination in voting, ensuring that no citizen could be denied the right to vote based on their race, color, or previous condition of servitude. It was a significant step toward expanding political rights and representation for African Americans.
The Civil Rights Act of 1866, enacted on April 9, 1866, granted African Americans in the United States citizenship. This act declared that all persons born in the United States, except Native Americans, were citizens, regardless of their race or previous condition of slavery. It aimed to protect the civil rights of freed slaves and ensure their equal protection under the law.
These three measures played crucial roles in the struggle for equality and civil rights for African Americans in the United States. Although challenges and obstacles persisted, these milestones laid the foundation for progress and the ongoing fight for racial justice.