In 1860, the institution of slavery was firmly entrenched in the United States; by 1865, it was dead. How did this happen? How did Union policy toward slavery change over the course of the Civil War? Why did it change?
The abolition of slavery in the United States was a complex process that involved a combination of political, economic, social, and military factors.
One of the key factors that led to the demise of slavery was the changing Union policy towards the institution over the course of the Civil War. At the beginning of the war, President Abraham Lincoln and the Union government were primarily focused on preserving the Union and were hesitant to take direct action against slavery. However, as the war progressed and it became clear that the issue of slavery was at the heart of the conflict, Union policy began to shift.
One major turning point in Union policy towards slavery was the Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln in 1863. This executive order declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be freed, effectively transforming the Civil War into a war of liberation for African Americans. The Emancipation Proclamation also opened the door for African Americans to enlist in the Union Army, further undermining the institution of slavery.
Another key factor in the demise of slavery was the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865, which formally abolished slavery throughout the United States. The passage of the 13th Amendment was a direct result of the Union victory in the Civil War and the increasing recognition that slavery was incompatible with the values of freedom and equality that the Union sought to uphold.
Overall, the changing Union policy towards slavery over the course of the Civil War can be attributed to a growing recognition of the moral, political, and economic imperatives to end the institution. The Union's commitment to preserving the Union ultimately led to the abolition of slavery as a necessary step towards achieving that goal.