The Reconstruction Amendments—the 13th, 14th, and 15th—were important changes made to American laws. They aimed to end slavery and give African Americans rights to citizenship and the ability to vote. But there were many challenges in making these changes a reality:

1. Resistance and Backlash:

   • Southern states created unfair laws, known as Jim Crow laws, to get around these amendments.
   • Groups like the Ku Klux Klan used violence to scare African Americans.

2. Judicial Challenges:

   • In some Supreme Court cases, like United States v. Cruikshank (1876), decisions made it harder for the government to protect civil rights.

3. Political Disengagement:

   • Many African Americans faced tricks designed to prevent them from voting.

To fix these problems, we need to keep fighting for civil rights. We also need stronger laws, and we should teach everyone about racial equality. This way, we can truly honor the goals of these amendments over time.