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Arrival
Salves were first brought to the colonies by ship over the middle passage on this date. During this time, slavery was legal in all thirteen colonies.
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Underground Railroad
Harriet Tubman started the Underground Railroad to help the slaves escape from cruelty, including her own sister and her sister's children.
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Congress
On this date, Congress passed the 13th amendment to "to guarantee the legality and perpetuity of slavery in the slave states, rather than to end it."- Source 5 This amendment was passed before the Civil War, therefore it didn't do much. -
The Civil War
The Civil war began in 1861. The war was fought between the northern and southern parts of the US. After the North won, the US brought unity and ended slavery altogether. This war was the most destructive war, taking 625,000 lives.
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Emancipation Proclamation
On September 22nd, Lincoln issued an Emancipation Proclamation to go into effect on January 1st, 1863 to free all slaves in the rebellious slaves (mainly southern half.) -
Passed by the Senate
Starting in late March, the Senate was debating the 13th Amendment. Finally, on April 8th, it was passed.
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Abe Lincoln
Lincoln's Fourth Annual Message was in the "Congressional Globe" and said, "At the last session of Congress a proposed amendment of the Constitution, abolishing slavery throughout the United States, passed the Senate, but failed for lack of the requisite two-thirds vote in the House of Representatives. Although the present is the same Congress, and nearly the same members, and without questioning the wisdom or patriotism of those who stood in opposition..."
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Passed by the House
The 13th Amendment was debated in the House of Representatives for weeks until January 31st. On this day, the House passed this amendment with 119 votes for it and 56 against it.
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The End
In the Spring, the confederate states surrendered and gave up what they were fighting for. When President Jefferson Davis was captured, the Civil War ended for good, and the slaves were free.
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Amendment Ratified
The 13th amendment was officially ratified on December 6th of 1865. It stated, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
Source 2 and 3