The Impact of the 14th AmendmentBlair 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 abolish slavery and extend civil rights and constitutional protections to former slaves. The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery in the United States. The 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, gave citizenship to former slaves. It also said 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 prohibited states from disenfranchising voters “on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”
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.
The Impact of the 14th AmendmentBlair 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 resource.