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How Did The 14th And 15 Amendment Change The United States

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Congress and Abraham Lincoln were able to pass the 13th Amendment, but shortly after the end of the war Abraham Lincoln was shot while attending a play at a theater. After Abraham Lincoln passed away Congress had a more difficult time under Andrew Johnson who tried to veto a Republican bill. Congress retaliated by voting to impeach the Andrew Johnson. Afterward Congress was able to pass the 14th and 15th Amendments. The 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments changed the United States by increasing the federal government’s power over the States and this had an affect across society.
Before the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments the average American experienced the federal government much less. In Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution the federal government has their power explained and one of these powers allowed them, “To establish post offices and post roads.” The average American would have experienced the federal …show more content…

In the 13th Amendment the last section says, “The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by legislation.” The 14th and 15th Amendments has similar wording attached to their final sections. This addition to each article shows that the federal government was willing to create laws to override States or individuals that may try to find loopholes around these Amendments.
In the 14th Amendment it says, “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the law.” This statement allowed the federal government the ability to hold the States accountable if they decided to create laws that would discriminate on individuals based on

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