Questions and Answers
What did the 13th Amendment do?
Abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime.
What did the 14th Amendment do?
Stated all persons born or naturalized in the US are citizens of the US.
What did the 15th Amendment do?
Gave black men the right to vote.
How do the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments differ from the original amendments in the Bill of Rights?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Foner, why did the addition of these amendments to the Constitution after the Civil War constitute a 'second founding'?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Foner, what 'political lessons' resulted from the Dunning School's interpretation of Reconstruction and how did this affect court decisions related to the Reconstruction Amendments?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the Dunning School?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Foner, what was the citizenship status of African Americans (whether enslaved or free) before the Civil War?
Signup and view all the answers
When did the 'Second Founding' begin?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Foner, what ways could slavery be abolished?
Signup and view all the answers
What is manumission?
Signup and view all the answers
What is legal emancipation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is military emancipation?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Foner, why was a Constitutional Amendment necessary to end slavery?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the role of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 in paving the way for the 14th Amendment?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the Fourteenth Amendment change the definition of citizenship?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the Fourteenth Amendment introduce gender into the Constitution?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Foner, what was the major problem that the 15th Amendment attempted to solve?
Signup and view all the answers
Before the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment, what level of government decided who was qualified to vote?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Foner, how did southern states weaken the enforcement of the 15th Amendment after its ratification?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Foner, have black Americans ever enjoyed all of the 'promise' of the Fourteenth Amendment?
Signup and view all the answers
According to Foner, how has the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment been used in the long-term?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
The Second Founding: Amendments Overview
- The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime.
- The 14th Amendment grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.
- The 15th Amendment secured voting rights for black men.
Differences from Original Amendments
- Original Bill of Rights primarily benefited white men and limited government power.
- The 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments expanded rights to include formerly enslaved people and assert government responsibility in protecting these rights.
Concept of "Second Founding"
- Refers to the significant impact of the post-Civil War amendments, marking a profound transformation of the Constitution rather than a mere alteration.
Dunning School Influence
- The Dunning School justified disenfranchising black voters by depicting their voting as irresponsible during Reconstruction.
- This perspective influenced court decisions, making officials hesitant to apply Reconstruction Amendments.
Pre-Civil War Citizenship Status
- African Americans, both enslaved and free, were not recognized as citizens prior to the Civil War.
Beginning of the "Second Founding"
- Initiated with the passage of the 13th Amendment during the Civil War.
Methods of Abolishing Slavery
- Slavery could be ended through individual manumission, legal emancipation, or military emancipation.
Definitions
- Manumission: A slaveowner's formal release of slaves.
- Legal Emancipation: The process of freeing slaves via laws or legal actions.
- Military Emancipation: Using military force to liberate slaves.
Necessity of a Constitutional Amendment
- Constitutional amendments were essential to ensure the permanence of changes like emancipation, as executive actions could be overturned by future administrations.
Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the 14th Amendment
- The Civil Rights Act detached citizenship from race, establishing the principle of birthright citizenship to clarify citizenship issues in the 14th Amendment.
Redefinition of Citizenship by the 14th Amendment
- Established that anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen, ensuring equality and protection under the national government.
Gender Inclusion in the 14th Amendment
- The amendment broadened the scope of citizenship to include women, catalyzing the women’s rights movement.
Voting Rights Challenges Addressed by the 15th Amendment
- The amendment addressed the broader issue of who qualifies to vote, not just limited to race.
Voting Qualifications Pre-15th Amendment
- Voting eligibility was determined by state governments before the amendment’s passage.
Southern States' Evasion of the 15th Amendment
- Southern states circumvented the 15th Amendment's enforcement through violence and intimidation, exemplified by groups like the KKK.
Fulfillment of the 14th Amendment Promise
- Foner argues that black Americans have never fully realized the promises of the 14th Amendment due to persistent discrimination.
Long-Term Impact of the Equal Protection Clause
- The 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause has been pivotal in advancing rights across various demographics, prohibiting gender discrimination, promoting equitable treatment in education, and facilitating same-sex marriage.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz features key concepts from Eric Foner's 'The Second Founding.' Focused on the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, the flashcards help reinforce understanding of significant constitutional changes. Perfect for those studying American history and civil rights.