The End of Slavery – Little Patriots Learning

The End of Slavery: 3rd Grade The End of Slavery

The 13th Amendment

Republicans took the risk to make support for the 13th Amendment central to the 1864 campaign. The 1864 Republican Party platform said that “slavery was the cause” of the Civil War and that Republicans supported a Constitutional amendment that would “terminate and forever prohibit” slavery in the United States.

It was with this vision for the future of the country that Lincoln, the Republican candidate, won the 1864 election. It was clear that the majority of voters wanted to abolish slavery in the United States once and for all. Abolitionists viewed this as a mandate from the people and pressured the House to pass the 13th Amendment.

Lincoln’s efforts convinced eight Democrats to switch their votes from no to yes and secured the support of other members of Congress who had previously not voted. On January 31, 1865, these efforts succeeded, and the 13th Amendment was passed.

Interesting Fact

Lincoln added his signature to the amendment – although this was not required. Today, it is the only ratified amendment to the Constitution with a signature from the president.

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