What was the Reconstruction?
Reconstruction, in U.S. history, the period (1865–77) that followed the American Civil War and during which attempts were made to redress the inequities of slavery and its political, social, and economic legacy and to solve the problems arising from the readmission to the Union of the 11 states that had seceded or broken away
Slaves were now free but southern states were passing “Black codes” to take freedmen’s rights away. Some amendments had to be passed to give free people rights. Those Amendments turned out to be the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments.
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What is the 13th Amendment?
The 13th Amendment forever abolished slavery as an institution in all U.S. states and territories.
In addition to banning slavery, the amendment outlawed the practice of involuntary servitude and peonage. Involuntary servitude or peonage occurs when a person is coerced to work in order to pay off debts. The 13th Amendment exempts from the involuntary servitude clause persons convicted of a crime, and persons drafted to serve in the military. Why was it necessary?The 13th Amendment was necessary because the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln in January of 1863, did not end slavery entirely; those enslaved in border states had not been freed. The proclamation also did not address the issue of slavery in territories that would become states in the future. Lincoln and other leaders realized amending the Constitution was the only way to officially end slavery.
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What is the 14th Amendment?
The 14th Amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States—including former enslaved people—and guaranteed all citizens “equal protection of the laws.”
It also declared that states could not limit the rights of citizens. States could not take away life, liberty(freedom), or property without due process of the law. |
Why was it necessary?
Some southern states began actively passing laws that restricted the rights of former slaves after the Civil War, and Congress responded with the 14th Amendment, designed to place limits on states' power as well as protect civil rights- civil rights, guarantee equal social opportunities and equal protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, or other personal characteristics.
15th Amendment
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
Why was it necessary?During the Reconstruction, or the rebuilding of the South, some Southern states still found ways to discriminate against former slaves and limit voting to white men only. For example, Southern states used black codes, to limit voting rights. The Black Codes included barring African Americans from voting or holding elected office, limiting property rights and job opportunities, and restricting movement from small towns and farms into cities. In fact, homeless and unemployed African Americans could be charged with vagrancy and forced into labor to pay off their fines.
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