The abolition of slavery in the United States was a long and complex process that began in the 17th century and culminated with the passage of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1865. The abolitionist movement was a social and political movement that advocated for the immediate and unconditional end of slavery in the United States. It was led by a diverse group of individuals, including African American activists, white abolitionists, and religious leaders.
The abolitionist movement gained momentum in the 1830s and 1840s, as the issue of slavery became increasingly divisive in the United States. The abolitionists used a variety of tactics to raise awareness of the evils of slavery, including public lectures, pamphlets, and petitions. They also worked to support fugitive slaves who had escaped from the South.
The Civil War began in 1861, when the Southern states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. The Union stated its intention to preserve the Union and free the slaves as war aims in 1862, and the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 freed slaves in the Confederate states. The war ended in 1865 with the defeat of the Confederacy. The abolition of slavery was one of the major outcomes of the Civil War.