The writers of the United States Constitution included an amending process to respond to changing times and
unforeseen circumstances. Since the Civil War, important amendments have had an impact on the United
States and/or on American society.
Task: Select two amendments to the United States Constitution since the Civil War and for each:
1) Describe the historical circumstances surrounding the adoption of the amendment
2) Discuss the impact of this amendment on the United States and/or on American society
You may use any constitutional amendment that has been added since the Civil War.
15th amendment—African American male suffrage (1870)
19th amendment—woman’s suffrage (1920)