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13th Amendment Passed
This amendment being passed mean that slavery is, essentially, abolished in the United States. After the Senate passes this, no state is able to keep slaves or use slavery as a form of punishment. This was also the first Reconstruction Amendment implemented after the Civil War and paved the way for many newer advancements. -
14th Amendment Adopted
This was brought up in response to the newly freed slaves after the 13th Amendment was passed and ratified by the states. The 14th Amendment concerned citizenship rights and equal protection under the law. This was important because many issues concerning equal protection for african americans would arise at a later date, of which this amendment would influence. -
Fifteenth Amendment Ratified
The Fifteenth Amendment directly concerned african americans, as it is clearly written that 'The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.', this has a clear meaning that former slaves have the right to vote. However, we will soon see cases where other citixens attempt to prohibit their voting, which raises the question of access to their rights. -
Ratification of the 24th Amendment
This amendment prohibits a 'poll tax' for voters. This expands on the Fifteenth Amendment, by way of making it easier for newly freed slaves and african american citizens to vote as well as lower class peoples.