Ossie Davis in 2004 Dramatic Reading of the U.S. Constitution-13th and 14th AmendmentsBlair Brown in 2004 Dramatic Reading of the U.S. Constitution-14th AmendmentRuby Dee in 2004 Dramatic Reading of the U.S. Constitution-14th and 15th AmendmentsThe 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments are additions to the Constitution that were ratified by the states as a result of the American Civil War. They are known as the Reconstruction Amendments. These amendments were passed in order to list the rights given to the newly freed slaves. The 13th amendment, ratified in 1865, outlaws slavery in the United States. The 14th amendment, ratified in 1868, gives citizenship to former slaves. It also says that states cannot take away rights given to citizens of the United States. This is important because while the Bill of Rights (the first 10 amendments to the Constitution) protects the rights of citizens, it only protects citizens from the federal government. The 14th amendment now protects citizens from the state governments as well, saying that states cannot pass laws that will deny rights to citizens. The 15th amendment, ratified in 1870, gives voting rights to black males in the United States.
Now that you know a little bit about the Reconstruction amendments, let's take a look at them. Watch the following videos. You'll see some famous people reading the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. Listen carefully to the words; see if you can understand what rights are being protected by each amendment.
Ossie Davis in 2004 Dramatic Reading of the U.S. Constitution-13th and 14th AmendmentsBlair Brown in 2004 Dramatic Reading of the U.S. Constitution-14th AmendmentRuby Dee in 2004 Dramatic Reading of the U.S. Constitution-14th and 15th AmendmentsAfter watching the videos, close this window or tab to return to the lesson.