Constitutional ImpactWhen the Civil War ended, new laws were destined to be put in place. The US was divided and the government worked to unite the North and South after such a bloody battle. The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were created to unify the North and the South by concluding slavery. These amendments were ratified between 1865-1870, five years immediately following the Civil War. This explains why these amendments are sometimes named the “Civil War Amendments” or the “Reconstruction Amendments.” |
13th Amendment It abolished Slavery, except as a punishment for crime where the party was convicted, and made it illegal to hold slaves captive. In some cases, the 13th Amendment even outlawed indentured servitude. It was ratified on December 6, 1865. 14th Amendment The 14th Amendment was intended to secure rights for African Americans or former slaves. The amendment declared that the states must provide protection under law to all people. It overturned the Dred Scott case, which excluded African Americans from equal protection. The amendment also outlawed segregation (Brown v Board of Education). This amendment states that no person should be a Senator or Representative in Congress, President or Vice President, or any other form of office without taking an oath. Also included Due Process. It was proposed on June 13, 1868 and ratified on July 9, 1868. 15th Amendment Governments in the US may not prevent a citizen from voting based on that citizen’s race, color, and previous servitude/slavery. It was ratified on February 3, 1870. |