What year was the 14th Amendment ratified?

The 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868, which is significant as it was one of the Reconstruction Amendments aimed at establishing rights for newly freed slaves following the Civil War. This amendment provided a broad definition of citizenship, ensuring that all persons born or naturalized in the United States were recognized as citizens, and it also sought to guarantee equal protection under the law.

Understanding the context of this amendment is crucial, as it was intended to address issues of civil rights and to rectify injustices that had been prevalent before and during the Civil War. Its ratification marked a pivotal moment in American history, as it laid the foundation for future civil rights advancements and shaped the legal landscape for equality within the United States.

The other years mentioned do not correspond to the ratification of the 14th Amendment: 1865 marks the end of the Civil War, 1870 is associated with the ratification of the 15th Amendment, which addresses voting rights, and 1876 does not have particular significance in relation to the Reconstruction Amendments.