Slavery During the American Civil War: Important Things to Know
The American Civil War had a major impact on the entire country, and it’s no surprise that slavery featured heavily in the story. Although slavery still existed at the start of the war, by war’s end, it had been abolished throughout the United States. Here’s an overview of all the key information you should know about slavery during the American Civil War.
Overview of Slavery During the War
The American Civil War began as a conflict between Northern and Southern states over issues such as taxation and representation. However, slavery quickly became a major factor. The Confederate States of America viewed slavery as an essential part of their economy, while the Union sought to end the practice of slavery entirely.
The Causes of the Civil War
Although slavery played a major role in the Civil War, it was not the only cause. At the start of the war, the conflict was primarily over two issues. The first was the question of whether states had the right to secede from the Union. The second issue was taxation. By the end of the war, however, slavery had become the central issue that divided the North and South.
Who Was Involved in Slavery?
At the beginning of the American Civil War, there were almost four million people enslaved in the United States. This was made up of a mixture of African-American slaves, Native-American slaves and even some white slaves. Of the four million slaves, approximately three million were held in the American South.
Slavery in the South
In the south, slavery was an essential part of the economy. Slavery existed as a way of providing cheap labor for the production of crops such as cotton, indigo, tabacco and rice. Enslaved people were also used to build and maintain the infrastructure of the south and support the military.
Slavery in the North
Although there was slavery in some Northern states before the start of the war, it had been abolished by most of them by the time of the conflict. At the start of the war, some states still practiced involuntary servitude, which meant people being bound to labor. However, this practice was outlawed within the Union states by 1862.
Abolitionists During the Civil War
From the start of the war, a number of abolitionists worked to end slavery throughout the country. Groups such as the American Anti-Slavery Society worked to urge the government to take action, while other activists wrote and published pamphlets to spread awareness and gain support. Despite facing strong opposition, they gained considerable public support and ultimately achieved their goal of abolishing slavery.
The Emancipation Proclamation
The most significant act of the Civil War in regards to slavery was the Emancipation Proclamation. Signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, it declared that all slaves in the United States were to be freed. This meant that all slaves in the states of the Confederacy were legally freed from bondage.
The Impact of Slavery on African-Americans
Before the war, African-Americans were enslaved and were denied basic human rights such as the right to own property, vote or serve in the military. During the war, African-American soldiers served in Union forces, proving their valor and patriotism. After the war, many African-Americans were able to secure their own freedom and gain civil rights.
The American Civil War had a major impact on the country and beyond. One of the most significant effects was the ending of slavery throughout the country, which was a major step forward in the advancement of human rights. Through their bravery, determination and resilience, African-Americans were able to finally achieve their freedom.
