Question

History questions: The amendments to the constitution that finally put an end to slavery in the United State of America.

Answer 1

It was President Abraham Lincoln who finally initiated the abolition of slavery in United States through the Emancipation Proclamation declaring all the slaves free in 1863. Emancipation was not able to abolish slavery but it only checked the pulse of the white folks and Lincoln was aware that it’s not enough as it needs to be supported by the constitutional amendment. So, a constitutional amendment for the abolishment of slavery was passed by the Congress on 31^st January 1865 and the same was ratified on 6^th December 1865. Thus the 13^th amendment abolished slavery throughout the United States amidst strong opposition from the Southerners. Although, it was passed by the senate in 1864, it didn’t get enough support in the House. It was Abraham Lincoln’s efforts that made people to support the amendment.

13^th amendment was later supported by 14^th and 15^th amendments. 14^th amendment was passed in 1868 and it ensured citizenship rights and equal protection of the laws for the people who were freed from slavery. 15^th amendment was passed in 1869 which ensured voting rights for all the men irrespective of colour, race and economic status.