The Reconstruction Amendments, or the Civil War Amendments, are the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, adopted between 1865 and 1870. The amendments were a part of the implementation of the Reconstruction of the American South which occurred after the Civil War.Explain in detail what each of the Reconstruction Amendments said and established.(4 points)
1. The Thirteenth Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States. It stated that "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." This amendment was a crucial step towards ending the institution of slavery in the United States and ensuring freedom for all individuals.
2. The Fourteenth Amendment, ratified in 1868, granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves. It also guaranteed all citizens equal protection under the law and due process of law. Additionally, it prohibited states from denying any person life, liberty, or property without due process of law, as well as denying any person equal protection of the laws. The Fourteenth Amendment aimed to ensure that all individuals were treated equally under the law regardless of race or previous status.
3. The Fifteenth Amendment, ratified in 1870, prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. It stated that "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." This amendment aimed to secure voting rights for African American men, who had previously been disenfranchised in many states due to discriminatory laws and practices.