Question

What was a lasting influence of the laws passed during the reconstruction period?

Answer 1

The answer is C.  They put in place many of the rights enjoyed today. Apex! :D

Answer 2

One portion of the Reconstruction Amendments was to preserve "birthright citizenship" as a Constitutional Right. This was very much an 18th century idea, from an age when people were far less portable, and almost all lived their whole lives within a few miles of their birthplace.  Birthright citizenship is United States citizenship picked up by virtue of the circumstances of birth. It is different with citizenship acquired in other ways, for example by naturalization later in life. Birthright citizenship may be conferred by jus soli or jus sanguinis. Under United States law, U.S. citizenship is spontaneously allowed to any person born within and subject to the authority of the United States. This comprises the regions of Puerto Rico, the Marianas and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and also applies to children born elsewhere in the world to U.S. citizens (with certain exceptions).