During the initial period of Presidential Reconstruction, the states ratified the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. Once the Radical Republicans took over after the Congressional elections of 1866, they forced through two additional amendments, the 14th and 15th. Some historians refer to the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments as the Reconstruction Amendments because all three were passed during Reconstruction (1865, 1868, and 1870). Other historians refer to these amendments as the Civil War Amendments because they were passed as a result of the Civil War.

Each of these amendments helped the country move towards becoming more inclusive.

Primary Source Activity

Click below for excerpts from each amendment. Then, complete the drag and drop exercise by selecting the purpose of each amendment.

Drag the amendment to the correct purpose.

Reflection: How do these amendments represent major social change? Answer in your notes. Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. Click here for a possible answer.

Before these amendments, most African Americans in the United States were slaves. As a result of these three amendments, not only did they stop being slaves, but they were now citizens with the same rights and protections as any citizen, including the right to vote. They went from no rights to full rights as Americans.