Blog 6

       The time period immediately followed by the Civil War is known as the Reconstruction. Several changes were made during this time period to benefit slaves. The 13th Amendment abolished slavery in states that were still in rebellion against the United States. This did not apply to states such as Missouri, Maryland, Kentucky, Delaware and parts of Virginia and Lousiana which were still occupied by Union troops. Slavery wasn't completely abolished until nearly three years later in 1865. The 14th Amendment was made to guarantee the rights and security of free people. It also greatly expanded the protection of civil rights to Americans. The 15th Amendment gave all MEN the right to vote and stated that they could not be denied this by race, color or previous servitude. Besides those Amendments, Black Codes were also formed. Each southern state had different codes that intended to keep African Americans in a state similar to slavery. This outraged the North as well as free African Americans still living in the south. Even though three Amendments were made during the Reconstruction, free slaves didn't have the life promised by the law. Racial discrimination and prejudice still existed in society. All in all free slaves did not have it much better after the Civil War, but at least some progress was being made.