In July of 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment was adopted in order to
A
recognize newly freed slaves as citizens and ensure that they were awarded all the same protections under the law as all other citizens.
B
establish punishments for "carpetbaggers" who moved to the South following the war in order to profit from the destruction caused by the conflict.
C
outlaw slavery in the United States and free those who had been forced into slavery in the former Confederate states.
D
provide the necessary funding to begin rebuilding the cities and roads that were destroyed during the war.
A
recognize newly freed slaves as citizens and ensure that they were awarded all the same protections under the law as all other citizens.