History of Africa

Why was it unlikely that an amendment to the constitution end slavery would pass?

An amendment to the Constitution to end slavery was unlikely to pass because it would require the approval of 75% of the states. At the time, there were 31 states, of which 15 were slave states. It was unlikely that the slave states would agree to an amendment that would abolish slavery, as it would undermine their economic and social systems. Additionally, many northerners were also opposed to abolition, fearing that it would lead to a race war or social unrest. As a result, it was highly unlikely that an amendment to the Constitution to end slavery would have been able to garner the necessary support for ratification.