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Live Webcast

The Civil War Amendments and the Legal Architecture of Freedom


Credit Available - See Credits tab below.

Categories:
Constitutional
Faculty:
Robert J. McWhirter
Program Credits:
1.5-1.8 Credits
Credit Type:
General
Program Type:
Live Webcast

Dates


Description

The Civil War Amendments—Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth—represent a profound transformation of the U.S. Constitution, redefining the relationship between the individual, the state, and the federal government. This course explores how these amendments sought to repair the original Constitution’s failure to address slavery and racial inequality. Tracing the historical arc from America’s founding through the Civil War and Reconstruction, the program examines the philosophical and legal clash between republicanism and aristocracy, the enduring myth of “states’ rights,” and the continuing relevance of these amendments in today’s constitutional debates. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of how law has been used both to justify and dismantle systems of racial oppression—and how the Civil War Amendments remain central to the pursuit of liberty and equality for all.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe the legal and historical failures of the original U.S. Constitution regarding slavery and racial equality.
  2. Explain the transformative role of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments in redefining citizenship, equal protection, and federal enforcement powers.
  3. Analyze how the ideology of “states’ rights” was historically used to uphold slavery and later resist civil rights, and how that conflicts with the text and purpose of the Reconstruction Amendments.
  4. Identify key constitutional debates and Supreme Court decisions that have shaped the implementation and limitations of the Civil War Amendments.
  5. Assess the modern implications of the Reconstruction Amendments on voting rights, civil liberties, and equal protection jurisprudence.

Credits


Alabama

AL General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved


Alaska

AK General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved

CLE programs which take place outside of Alaska or are webcast from outside of Alaska are not required to be accredited by the Alaska Bar Association.  Alaska Bar members may claim credit for attendance at CLE programs offered in or from other jurisdictions if the program has been accredited by another MCLE jurisdiction.  


Arizona

AZ General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved

The State Bar of Arizona does not approve or accredit CLE activities for the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education requirement.  This activity may qualify for up to 1 hour(s) toward your annual CLE requirement for the State Bar of Arizona, including 0 hour(s) of professional responsibility.


Arkansas

AR General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


California

CA General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation
Provider Number:


Colorado

CO General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 2.0
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Connecticut

CT General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved


Delaware

DE General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 2.0
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved


Florida

FL General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Georgia

GA General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Hawaii

HI General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation


Idaho

ID General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation


Illinois

IL General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number:


Indiana

IN General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Iowa

IA General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved


Kansas

KS General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Kentucky

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation
Provider Number: 9640


Louisiana

LA General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Maine

ME General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 


Maryland

MD General

Maryland attorneys do not have MCLE requirements.


Massachusetts

MA General

Massachusetts attorneys do not have MCLE requirements.


Michigan

MI General

Michigan attorneys do not have MCLE requirements.


Minnesota

MN General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation
Provider Number: 0012487


Mississippi

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation


Missouri

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.8
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 150036


Montana

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 5420


Nebraska

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation


Nevada

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 55391


New Hampshire

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved

NHMCLE does not approve or accredit CLE activities for the NH Minimum CLE requirement. The provider believes this course meets the requirements of NH Supreme Court Rule 53 and may quality for 60 minutes toward the annual NHMCLE requirement. New Hampshire attendees must self-determine whether a program is eligible for credit, and self-report their attendance.


New Jersey

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.8
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 3332


New Mexico

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved


New York

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved


North Carolina

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Expiration: Live Webcast
Expires: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 9370


North Dakota

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved


Ohio

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 19607


Oklahoma

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 2.0
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 4528


Oregon

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved


Pennsylvania

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 12497


Rhode Island

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Expires: 07/23/2025
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation
Provider Number: 00959


South Carolina

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: SPROU


South Dakota

General

South Dakota attorneys do not have MCLE requirements.


Tennessee

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved


Texas

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: A17672


Utah

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved


Vermont

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation


Virginia

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation


Washington

Law & Legal Procedure

Credit Type: Law & Legal Procedure
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Approved
Provider Number: 9903940


West Virginia

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.8
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation


Wisconsin

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation


Wyoming

General

Credit Type: General
Credit Amount: 1.5
Course Type: Live Webcast
Course Expiration: 07/23/2025
Status: Pending, Submitted for Accreditation



Materials

Faculty

Robert J. McWhirter's Profile

Robert J. McWhirter Related Seminars and Products

Certified Specialist in Criminal Law

Law Offices of Robert J. McWhirter


Robert J. McWhirter is a nationally recognized constitutional scholar, criminal defense attorney, and award-winning author. A Certified Specialist in Criminal Law by the State Bar of Arizona, he has tried over 100 cases across federal, state, and municipal courts. He has served on the ABA Criminal Justice Standards Committee and has extensive international justice reform experience in Latin America. A frequent legal commentator in national media, Mr. McWhirter is known for his accessible yet deeply researched insights on constitutional law, civil rights, and the continuing evolution of American legal principles.