On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that "all persons held as slaves" in the Confederate states were free. While it did not immediately free all enslaved people in the United States, it laid the foundation for the abolition of slavery nationwide and marked a turning point in the Civil War.
13th Amendment:
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratified in December 1865, officially abolished slavery in the entire United States. It declared that "neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
The 13th Amendment was a significant milestone in the fight against slavery and ensured the freedom of all enslaved people in the country.
Civil War and the Union's Victory:
The decisive victory of the Union in the Civil War played a crucial role in ending slavery. The war was fought over several issues, including the preservation of the Union, states' rights, and slavery. The Union victory, in part, aimed to abolish slavery and enforce the Emancipation Proclamation.
The defeat of the Confederacy and the subsequent ratification of the 13th Amendment brought about the end of slavery in the United States.
Political Activism and Abolitionist Movements:
The tireless efforts of abolitionists, such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and William Lloyd Garrison, were instrumental in raising awareness and advocating for the abolition of slavery. Their activism brought the issue to the forefront of public discourse and contributed to the groundswell of support for ending slavery.
The collective actions and sacrifices of enslaved people, abolitionists, political leaders, and the Union army ultimately led to the abolition of slavery in the United States.