Slavery Facts – 115 Unknown Facts About Slavery
Facts on Slavery
The Emancipation proclamation paved the way to total abolition of slavery in the U.S. The proclamation initially freed slaves in the confederates but by the end of the war it had influenced citizens to abolish slavery in both North and South.
The Emancipation Proclamation was only applied to the Southern States in rebellion.
Emancipation proclamation did not abolish slavery in the U.S. After Civil War 3.4 million black remained in bondage. It was only the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery.
In April 1865, the Confederated surrendered to the Unions ending the Civil War.
In December 1865, the thirteenth amendment was ratified by Congress which abolished slavery officially.
Though slavery was abolished, free black status in the South was precarious and many challenges awaited them during the Reconstruction period (1865-77).
It was the fourteenth amendment that gave slaves full citizenship, and ensured that there will not be deprived of privileges and immunities that come along with citizenship. It was ratified in July 1868.
The fifteenth amendment gave male African Americans and male former slaves the right to vote. It was ratified in February 1870.
After passing through the hurdle of slavery, now the African Americans faced a new problem of segregation. They were separated from the rest of society by enacting laws such as the black codes and regressive contractual arrangement like sharecropping.
William Whipple before signing the Declaration of Independence freed his slaves, because he believed that he cannot fight for freedom and yet own slaves.
