Reconstruction Amendments

Am I not a man and a brother? Woodcut on wove paper (1837). Credit: Library of Congress

Essential Question:

What were the Reconstruction Amendments, and why were they established within the U.S. Constitution?


After the Civil War, the United States added three important amendments to the Constitution to help rebuild the nation and create a fairer, more equal society. They were the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments, also known as the Reconstruction amendments.

Each amendment had a different purpose:

  • One ended slavery,
  • One guaranteed citizenship and equal protection under the law,
  • And one gave African American men the right to vote.

 

Take a moment to explore the note cards below and learn about the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. Read the original text from the Constitution, a short summary that explains what it means, and why it still matters today.