Everyday Civics - Virginia Standards of Learning

Reconstruction

Standard(s) of Learning

USI.10	The student will demonstrate knowledge of the effects of Reconstruction on American life by
	a) identifying the provisions of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution of the United States and their impact on the expansion of freedom in America;

Content

Explain the provisions of the following Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America that addressed the issue of slavery and guaranteed equal protection under the law for all citizens:

13th Amendment: Bans slavery in the United States and any of its territories
14th Amendment: Grants citizenship to all persons born in the United States and guarantees them equal protection under the law
15th Amendment: Ensures all citizens the right to vote regardless of race or color or previous condition of servitude.

Sample Resources

Below is an annotated list of Internet resources for this organizing topic. Copyright restrictions may exist for the material on some Web sites. Please note and abide by any such restrictions.

“Reconstruction and Its Aftermath.” African American Odyssey. Library of Congress. <http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aopart5.html>. This site explores the Reconstruction with concise text and illustrations.