The 13th Amendment (1865) abolished slavery. It states: "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
The 14th Amendment (1868) guaranteed equal protection of the law to all citizens. It states: "No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
The 15th Amendment (1870) prohibited discrimination based on race in voting. It states: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."
These three amendments were crucial in establishing civil rights for African Americans in the United States. They overturned the Supreme Court's decision in Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857), which had ruled that African Americans were not citizens and could not sue in federal court. They also overturned the Black Codes, which were laws passed by Southern states after the Civil War that restricted the rights of African Americans.
The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments were major victories for civil rights, but they did not end discrimination against African Americans. Racial segregation and other forms of discrimination continued for decades after these amendments were ratified. However, they laid the foundation for future civil rights movements and ultimately helped to end segregation and discrimination.