During the Reconstruction Era, which lasted from 1865 to 1877, some important laws were passed to fix problems after the Civil War and help change the United States for the better. Here are the key laws:

1. 13th Amendment (1865):

   • This law ended slavery in the United States.
   • It was officially approved on December 6, 1865.

2. 14th Amendment (1868):

   • This law gave citizenship to everyone born in the U.S. or who became a citizen.
   • It also made sure that everyone was treated equally under the law.
   • It was ratified on July 9, 1868.

3. 15th Amendment (1870):

   • This law made it illegal to deny someone the right to vote because of their race, skin color, or if they had been a slave before.
   • It was ratified on February 3, 1870.

4. Civil Rights Act of 1866:

   • This law gave citizenship and equal rights to African Americans.
   • It changed state laws that allowed unfair treatment based on race.

5. Reconstruction Acts (1867):

   • This law split the South into five military districts.
   • It set rules for Southern states to follow in order to join the United States again.

These laws changed the country in big ways, focusing on civil rights and bringing people together.