One of the most well-known individuals who was opposed to slavery was Abraham Lincoln. He served as the 16th President of the United States and played a significant role in the abolition of slavery. Although Lincoln initially did not view himself as an abolitionist and sought to preserve the Union, his views gradually evolved. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, declaring that all slaves in Confederate territory were to be set free. Lincoln's opposition to slavery was based on a belief in the inherent dignity and equality of all individuals, regardless of race. His efforts, along with those of countless others, eventually led to the passage of the 13th Amendment, which formally abolished slavery in the United States.
