Slavery helped turn America into a financial colossus. And our economy is still shaped by management practices invented by enslavers and their descendants. The legacy of slavery is deeply rooted in the history of the United States, shaping everything from our economy to our social structures. The institution of slavery was the backbone of the Southern economy, providing cheap labor that fueled the production of cotton, tobacco, and other cash crops. Enslaved people were considered property, bought and sold like commodities, and forced to work under brutal conditions. The abolition of slavery was a monumental step towards justice and equality for all Americans.
During the Civil War, these individuals convinced the president, altering the course of U.S. history. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declared that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. This was a strategic move to weaken the Confederacy and bolster the Union war effort, but it also marked a significant turning point in the fight against slavery. While the Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free all enslaved people, it set the stage for further action to secure their freedom.
Passed by Congress June 13, 1866, and ratified July 9, 1868, the 14th Amendment extended liberties and rights granted by the Bill of Rights to all Americans, including formerly enslaved individuals. This constitutional amendment granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States and prohibited states from denying any person equal protection under the law. The 14th Amendment was a crucial step towards ensuring the rights and freedoms of all Americans, regardless of their race or background.