Amendments

The 13^th,14^th and 15^th Amendments were mainly passed to help the African Americans against racial discrimination by which they were suppressed ., for amendments all were focused on helping African Americans and other minorities strive in America, and not be discriminated for their race. Earlier to these amendments, the Congress objected slavery by passing a number of bills and almost all states had abolished slavery .However, these amendments did send out a message with regard to the protection of the slaves.

The 13^th Amendment was put into forced abolished slavery through out the country. On December 6 1865, it was ratified by 3/4 of the state and became a law with a year. Except Kentucky and Delaware, the other states like Michigan and Mississippi accepted the amendment. This amendment was passed just after the Civil War when the southern states were yet to join the union. Lincoln made a serious effort in support of the amendment and was accepted by the House of Representatives.

The 14^th Amendment that was ratified on July 9, 1868 aimed to protect and secure the rights of not only the former slaves but also the rights of the vulnerable sex namely the seniors, women, children and the disabled. This amendment is the core of America's idea of equality. The first section makes it clear a citizen (including Negroes) of United States shall never be denied the Right to Life, Liberty, and Prosperity and shall be protected by law. It furthermore emphasized that neither the Supreme Court ,not the Congress can do anything for preventing these rights to be enjoyed by the citizens The second sections made it mandatory for all states to allow all males above the age of 21 to vote failing which their seats in the House of Representatives would be decreased proportionally. The third provision prevented rebellious war leaders to enter into the state administration by canceling election rights to people involved in such acts of crime such as treason, insurrection or rebellion. The fourth section of the amendment it clear that the union would in no way pay for the war debts and other expenses incurred by the Confederate State. The fifth section made it clear that the Supreme Court would be responsible for implementing everything said in the amendment though in reality it was not the case.

The 15^th Amendment which was ratified in 1870 focused on the voting rights for all the citizens specially the African Americans. In reality there were a lot of constraints that prevented them from entering into politics like poll taxes, literary tests, and property assessment. It was only with the passing of the 24th Amendment, by the Voting Rights Act of 1967, that the poll tax was abolished. It also stated that it was the duty of the Congress to see the enforcement of this amendment through appropriate legislations