Question

guided practice
how did the republicans in congress amend the constitution to further their reconstruction program?
a. they revoked the presidents veto power.
b. they closed all loopholes used to obstruct black suffrage.
c. they passed the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to pardon former confederates.
d. they passed the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to guarantee equality under the law and the right to vote.

Explanation:

The Fourteenth Amendment (1868) established equal protection under the law for all citizens, and the Fifteenth Amendment (1870) prohibited voting discrimination based on race, core parts of the Republican Reconstruction agenda to expand rights for Black Americans. Option A is incorrect as Congress did not revoke the presidential veto. Option B is wrong because loopholes to restrict Black suffrage emerged after these amendments, not closed by Republicans. Option C is incorrect; these amendments did not pardon Confederates.

Answer:

D. They passed the Fourteenth and Fifteenth amendments to guarantee equality under the law and the right to vote.