Why are the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments considered the greatest achievements of Reconstruction?

The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments are considered the greatest achievements of Reconstruction for several reasons. First, the Fourteenth Amendment extended citizenship to former slaves, recognizing them as equals in American society and legal protections under the law. Secondly, it included the due process and equal protection clauses that ensure equality of laws, regardless of race or other characteristics. The Fifteenth Amendment extended voting rights to African-Americans that had only recently achieved freedom. This amendment was monumental in redefining the concept of voting rights, and provided African-Americans a fundamental marker of equality. By giving African-Americans a voice in the democratic process and allowing them to shape their own future, it helped break down the ubiquitous racial barriers that had existed in the South. These two amendments served as cornerstones in Reconstruction, forever changing the legal, political, and social framework of the country. It provided true autonomy and a sense of full-citizenship to African-Americans, which had formerly been denied to them. The Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments were integral in furthering the goals of Reconstruction and protecting the newly-won rights of African-Americans.