The Legislative bodies which are required for passage and ratification of changes to the United States Constitution in the form of amendments. The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate bodies must each pass an amendment, followed by ratification by the required majority of the U.S. State legislatures. The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are referred to as the U.S. Bill of Rights. The 13th, 14th, 15th Amendments are referred to as the "Reconstruction Amendments" because they relate to the abolishment of slavery and the rights of African-Americans.
We offer The Declaration of Independence for your reference. For other important historical documents and more about the figures who helped shape America, visit American History and the African American Library.
Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
Reconstruction Amendments to the U.S. Constitution
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