The order you have is almost perfect! Here’s a slightly adjusted structure to enhance the flow and logic:

I. Introduction

• Briefly introduce the Reconstruction era and its goals.
• Briefly mention the three amendments (13th, 14th, and 15th) and their focus on slavery, citizenship, and voting rights.

II. Abolishing Slavery: The Impact of the 13th Amendment

• Explain the significance of the 13th Amendment in formally ending slavery in the United States.
• Discuss any limitations or challenges associated with the 13th Amendment’s enforcement.

III. Defining Citizenship: The 14th Amendment

• Explain how the 14th Amendment redefined citizenship to include all persons born or naturalized in the United States.
• Discuss the impact of the 14th Amendment on the legal status of Black Americans.

IV. Voting Rights and the 15th Amendment

• Explain how the 15th Amendment prohibited states from denying the right to vote based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”
• Discuss the challenges faced by Black Americans in exercising their voting rights during Reconstruction.

V. Conclusion

• Summarize the key achievements of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments in addressing slavery, citizenship, and voting rights.
• Briefly acknowledge the limitations of Reconstruction and the ongoing struggle for racial equality.

This structure emphasizes the chronological order of the amendments and the logical progression from abolishing slavery to defining citizenship and securing voting rights. It also allows you to acknowledge the limitations faced in achieving these goals.