Evaluate the extent to which the ratification of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution marked a turning point in the history of United States politics and society?, edit my essay so it fits this requirements for thee leq question
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APUSH LEQ RUBRIC
 Updated September 2023
Name: ____________________________
LEQ Topic: ________________
CONTEXTUALIZATION
Describes a broader historical context relevant to the prompt.
The response must relate the topic of the prompt to broader historical events, developments, or
processes that occur before, during, or continue after the time frame of the question.
This point is not awarded for merely a phrase or a reference.
THESIS / CLAIM
Responds to the prompt with a historically defensible thesis / claim
that establishes a line of reasoning.
The thesis must make a claim that responds to the prompt, rather than merely restating or
rephrasing the prompt. The thesis must consist of one or more sentences located in one place,
either in the introduction or the conclusion.
EVIDENCE & SUPPORT FOR ARGUMENT (Must Earn 1 to Earn 2)
1. Provides at least two SPECIFIC EXAMPLES of evidence relevant to
the topic of the prompt.
To earn one point, the response must identify at least two specific historical examples
of evidence relevant to the topic of the prompt.
2. SUPPORTS AN ARGUMENT in response to the prompt using at least
two specific and relevant examples of evidence.
To earn two points the response must use specific at least two pieces of historical
evidence to support an argument in response to the prompt.
ANALYSIS AND REASONING (Must Earn 1 to Earn 2)
1. Uses HISTORICAL REASONING (e.g. comparison, causation, CCOT)
to frame or structure an argument that addresses the prompt.
To earn the first point, the response must demonstrate the use of historical reasoning to
frame or structure an argument, although the reasoning might be uneven or imbalanced, or the
evidence may be overly general or lacking specificity.
2. Demonstrates a COMPLEX UNDERSTANDING of the historical development that is the
focus of the prompt through sophisticated argumentation and/or effective use of evidence.
SOPHISTICATED ARGUMENTATION EFFECTIVE USE OF EVIDENCE
 Exploring nuance by analyzing multiple
themes or perspectives
 Explaining both similarity and difference,
both continuity and change, both causes
and effects, multiple causes or effects,
multiple similarities or differences, or
multiple continuities or changes
 Explaining relevant and insightful
connections within and across periods
or geographical areas
 Using evidence effectively to
demonstrate a sophisticated
understanding of different
perspectives relevant to the
prompt
 Explaining how at least
four pieces of specific and
relevant evidence support
a nuanced or complex
argument that responds to
the prompt
TOTAL POINTS: / 6
Complex understanding can be
demonstrated in any portion of the
essay, but not merely by
a single phrase or reference.
The South used to heavily relied on slavery for plantation farms. When Lincoln was elected for president the seven states seceded because they feared that he would abolish slavery. Lincoln said that they cannot secede and was trying to bring back the nation and realized that he needed to abolish slavery for that. This caused the civil war which eventually led to the abolition of slavery and freedom of slaves. During reconstruction the radical movement from the North forced the South to ratify the 14th and 15th amendment. This had a great extent of marking a turning point in history because it gave African Americans the right to vote and be elected officials in government from then on and was key evidence used by leaders like Martin Luther King Jr for why African Americans should have equal rights in the Civil Rights movement.
After the ratification of the 14th and 15th amendment in the constitution African Americans now had the right to hold offices in the government and vote for people who they want. This had a huge effect in politics in the south because now the white elite don't control the government anymore giving everyone an equal right. This is giving the African American community the rights they did not have in earlier years. Changing the way politics now works in the south forever since now African Americans had a say in it.
Because of the economic crisis and other reasons important to the country, people did not want the north to spend time in the south any more ending the Reconstruction period. Now the white elite Americans got control of the government by using black code and Jim Crow laws to segregate the black community from the white. This went on for a while until African Americans started rebelling because of the injustice of this around the 1960s. Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr rose to fight for civil rights. He used plenty of reasons why they should have the same rights as any white persons and the main one was the 14th and 15th amendment in the constitutions. It is said that African Americans have the right of citizenship and vote just like anyone else. Eventually the use of this evidence and many other African Americans gained their civil rights. This time with no "separate and equal" law.
While some might say that the 14th and 15th amendments was not that important since the white elite found loops in the law to deny African American their rights for a long time, but if it weren't for the 14th and 15th amendments African Americans would never would have gotten their civil rights at all since there was no hope for any reason to speak against the white. The amendments gave hope to people like Rosa Parks to do what's right because they got reasons to. Making it easier for African Americans to get civil rights for them. The result of this is the forever freedom in which diverse people in America can live with freedoms.