Reconstruction Amendments
Definition
The Reconstruction Amendments are the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments added to U.S Constitution between 1865-1870 during post-Civil War era known as "Reconstruction". They abolished slavery (13th), granted citizenship rights (14th) and voting rights (15th) to former slaves.
Analogy
Imagine if you had an old computer game that didn't allow certain characters. Then you get three updates or patches that not only allow those characters but also give them special abilities and equal access to all levels. That's what these amendments did for African Americans' rights within our nation's 'game' - its constitution.
Related terms
13th Amendment: This amendment abolished slavery throughout United States.
14th Amendment: This amendment granted citizenship rights including equal protection under law regardless of race or previous condition of servitude.
15th Amendment: This amendment granted voting rights to all men regardless of race or previous condition of servitude.
"Reconstruction Amendments" appears in:
Study guides (1)
Practice Questions (1)
- Which of the following Reconstruction amendments was not effectively enforced in the South after the end of Reconstruction?
Resources
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