The Importance Of The Reconstruction Era

The 13th amendment abolished slavery. However the states made their own laws that still affected African Americans in a negative way. This caused for the making of the 14th amendment to be made. The 14th amendment gave a further blow on the fact that all persons born in the United States have The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This allowed for African Americans to get more rights within the states. However the states still made ways to retard the rights of the African American people. This can be seen in elections during reconstruction. The southern states found ways to block African Americans from voting. The 15th amendment is the amendment that allows for any citizen to vote and that this right can't be taken away By the federal government or the state

Reconstruction is the act of rebuilding something that has been damaged or destroyed. In this case reconstruction refers to the period of time following the civil war to help rebuild the United States (Reconstruction [ushistory.org]. (n.d.)). The reconstruction period started in 1865 and ended in 1877. During this time period the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth amendments known as the Reconstruction Amendments were adopted. These amendments were important in enforcing the reconstruction of the southern areas in America after the war. The Thirteenth amendment abolished slavery, the Fourteenth amendment addresses citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws for everyone, and the Fifteenth amendment prohibits discrimination in voting rights of citizenship (Reconstruction Amendments. (n.d.)). All three of these amendments are historically significant.

Reconstruction was like ice cream on a hot day because it is cold and refreshing . Similarly, from 1865 to 1870 the United States passed three Amendments, the 13th, 14th and 15th, to help end slavery. As stated in the 13th amendment,“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.” Then, three years later, the government passed the fourteenth amendment which said, “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction

During the Civil War, the president Lincoln promulgated the Emancipation Proclamation(Colling 5/22/17), this document helped the union win the Civil War.By the end of the war, the Thirteenth Amendment(Colling 5/22/17) of the Constitution was implemented. This amendment brought the freedom to the slave and it made Emancipation Proclamation permanent validity. The south returned to the union and started to reestablish. At first glance, the Reconstruction seemed all right and it fulfilled the promise of America. Nevertheless, a multitude of problems were still not addressed. Although the slave regained freedom again, but they can not integrate into society. In order to deal with this situation, the 14th Amendment and 15th Amendment(Colling 5/22/17) were implemented

Even though slavery was abolished in 1865 by the thirteenth amendment, it declared 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."[1]

The Reconstruction Era occurred between 1866 and 1877, immediately following the Civil War between the Northern and Southern states. The Reconstruction Era brought change to not only the American economy, society, and government, but significant changes to the lives of African Americans as well. Lincoln’s assassination in April 1865 impacted conditions for African Americans in the post-war period through political and social changes in the Reconstruction Era; which ranged from a new array of rights to many new opportunities in society.

The reconstruction era was a time that then affected America in positive facets and negative aspects as well, and still affects America today. Thanks to the reconstruction era, there are several implementations that geared the world on the path in which it is today. Had it not been for some of the laws that were set in place African Americans may have not had many of the opportunities that were presented during the reconstruction period, therefore the years of oppression and cruelty might still be present.

The 13th Amendment says “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.” (Doc C) Although many years later African Americans still were not being treated like people, abolishing slavery was a big step to the stop of harsh treatment toward African Americans. The citizenship, and the right to vote are granted to African Americans by the 14, and 15 Amendments. The passing of these Amendments insured that the African Americans are people.

One of the events that best expresses the reconstruction period has to be the abolishing of slavery through Congress's ratifying of the Thirteenth Amendment on December 18, 1865. After years of civil war and struggle throughout the entire nation, finally a progress had been made on a human level. While at the same time the animosity would still be felt as "Black Codes" were adopted by midwestern states to regulate or inhibit the now freed african americans ability

To make sure that slavery stayed abolished, Amendments had to be passed in order for slaves to be safe and treated fairly. The northern government wanted to get rid of slavery once in for all, but the southern government did not. The northern government passed amendments to keep the slaves free and safe. For example, in lesson 3, document B, it talks about three main Amendments passed to give slaves rights. Amendment 13 was the first one mentioned and it says “neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, (except as a punishment for crime,) shall exist in the United States.” This meaning that no one can be forced to work without pay or mistreatment. Amendment 14 was mentioned second and it states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States. No State can enforce any law that limits privileges or rights of citizens of the United States nor shall any State deprive any person of life, Liberty or property.” Meaning that everyone in the United States is equal to one another and no one can be treated lesser than anyone, by law. The last Amendment talked

America was in disarray following the events of the Civil War. Southern economy was in shambles while congress was struggling to find a middle ground between the radical republicans and Lincoln’s lenient policies. Many Southerners faced the aftermath of uprooting their society and their way of life while thousands of newly freed slaves struggled to find a way to support themselves. The country needed a strong leader, however on the 14th of April, 1865 President Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth in the Ford Theatre in Washington (Farmer). Without the man that had once held the nation together, the country now faced an enormous obstacle; reconstructing American economics, politics and social life.

To me, this is more than just freeing slaves this was about making sure every human being regardless of race had equal rights and equal opportunities. While further rights did not happen immediately after this amendment was ratified it is was the foundation for creating those equal rights for all races. Moments in history such as this thirteenth amendment is what defines our futures. The constitution of the United States is what protects our country and our

The reconstruction era was a difficult time for the African American slaves from 1865 to 1877 because the slaves were freed and there were no jobs for them, had very little or no education, and had very limited opportunity in the south. Reconstruction was one of the most critical periods in American History. The Civil War changed the nation tremendously, and most importantly by bringing an end to slavery. Reconstruction was a period of great promise, hope, and progress for African Americans, and a period of resentment and resistance for many white

The Thirteenth Amendment, Fourteenth Amendment, and Fifteenth Amendment all have had a major impact on the United States of America from the beginning. These three amendments have changed our country immensely for the better. The Thirteenth Amendment officially abolished slavery, and is still illegal till this day. The Fourteenth Amendment stated that if you were born in the United States of America you were officially an American citizen no matter race. The Fifteenth Amendment banned each government in the United States from taking away an american citizen’s right to vote based on their color, race, or their past (if they were a slave). These three amendments were put in place right after the Civil War ended and was America’s first step

The addition of three amendments to the constitution after the Civil War should be considered to a victory for the Northern and African American cause for the Civil War. These newly added documents protect the rights of all the citizens of the United States. Not only do they protect the rights of these people but they also establish who is a citizen and who is protected by the constitution. Most importantly it allows freedom to those who were mot protected before the Civil War, namely the former slaves.