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What role did slavery play during the Civil War and its aftermath?

Isobel Lisciandro

Slavery was the central issue that led to the American Civil War. The Southern states, where the plantation economy was dominant, believed that they had the right to own slaves, while the Northern states were opposed to this practice. This disagreement ultimately resulted in the secession of the Southern states and the outbreak of war.

During the war, slavery played a significant role as a motivating factor for both sides. The Union army saw the abolition of slavery as a way to weaken the Confederacy and believed that this would help to bring an end to the war. On the other hand, the Confederate army saw slavery as an essential part of their way of life and believed that the Union wanted to destroy it for ideological reasons.

As the war progressed, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves in Confederate territory were to be set free. This proclamation had an important impact on the war, as it increased support for the Union and undermined the Confederacy's economy and military power.

After the end of the Civil War, slavery was officially abolished with the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. However, the legacy of slavery continued to affect American society for many years to come. Despite being legally free, African Americans faced discrimination, segregation, and violence in many parts of the country.

During the Reconstruction era, the federal government attempted to rebuild the South and ensure that newly freed slaves were able to exercise their rights and participate in society as equal citizens. However, this effort was often met with resistance from white southerners who were unwilling to let go of their privileged status and viewed black Americans as inferior.

The legacy of slavery continues to affect American society in many ways today. The ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial justice can be seen as a continuation of the struggle that began during the Civil War and its aftermath. While slavery may no longer be legal, the effects of centuries of oppression and inequality are still being felt by millions of people in the United States.