Amendment: 1. The act or process of amending especially for the better. 2. a change in wording or meaning especially in a law, bill or motion.
The 13th Amendment.
The 13th amendment states "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction." This amendment was passed by congress on January 31, 1856 and ratified on December 6, 1865 and it formally abolished slavery.
The 14th Amendment.
The 14th amendment was passed by Congress on June 13, 1866 and ratified on July 9, 1868. This amendments allows citizenship to "All persons born or naturalized in the United States" therefore giving citizenship to former slaves.
The 15th Amendment.
The 15th amendment was passed by Congress on February 26, 1869 and ratified on February 3, 1870. This amendment gave African American men the right to vote. This amendment was the start of a long lasting fight for freedom for African Americans.
The 24th Amendment.
The 24th amendment ended poll taxes that stopped many African Americans from voting. Although the 15th amendment allowed African American men to votes many states found creative and devious ways to stop African Americans from voting and the 24th amendment put a stop to this.