The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments reflected the growing 19th century American trend of
A granting universal marihood suffrage.
B upholding rights of free speech and religion.
C decreasing the power of the Federal government
D recognizing the basic civil liberties of all races.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D: recognizing the basic civil liberties of all races.
The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments were pivotal in reshaping the social and legal landscape of the United States during the 19th century, particularly with regard to civil rights for African Americans and other marginalized groups. These amendments were enacted in response to the abolition of slavery and the ongoing struggles for equality.
- Thirteenth Amendment (1865): This amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. It marked the legal end of slavery in the United States, granting freedom to millions of African Americans who had been enslaved in the South.
- Fourteenth Amendment (1868): The Fourteenth Amendment established that all people born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens and guaranteed equal protection under the law. It was crucial in ensuring that former slaves had the legal right to citizenship and the protections of the Constitution. It also prohibited states from denying any citizen the “equal protection of the laws.”
- Fifteenth Amendment (1870): This amendment prohibited the federal and state governments from denying the right to vote based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” It was designed to secure voting rights for African American men, ensuring that race could not be used as a barrier to participation in the democratic process.
These amendments represented a significant shift toward recognizing the civil liberties of all races, particularly African Americans, following the Civil War. They were part of the broader Reconstruction efforts to integrate formerly enslaved people into the political, social, and economic life of the country. While these laws laid the foundation for future civil rights advancements, the full realization of their promises would take many more years and struggles.