How Did Reconstruction Help African Americans

The Abolitionists through Reconstruction era was successful in laying the foundation for equality in America. Before the Civil War, the slave codes were in effect which stated slavery as a permanent condition, and defined slaves as property which was appalling and dehumanized the slaves. Invalidating the slave codes, the 13th amendment ended slavery and involuntary servitude. The military reconstruction act of 1867 set conditions that the states rejoining the union were mandated to uphold, such as the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, which greatly helped African-Americans. The 14th amendment granted all natural born people American citizenship, including formerly enslaved people. The 15th amendment gave the right to vote to all male citizens