18. Abolition and the Civil War amendments
Individuals & institutions
Abraham Lincoln, Frederick Douglass, Thaddeus Stevens
Events & dates
The Emancipation Proclamation took effect in 1863 in areas in rebellion. The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in 1865, the Fourteenth established birthright citizenship and equal protection in 1868, and the Fifteenth barred race-based denial of voting rights in 1870.
Consequences & historical significance
These changes transformed constitutional citizenship, but racial terror and restrictive laws obstructed their enforcement.