Ratification of the 13th Amendment

Abraham Lincoln had many difficulties when ratifying the 13th amendment. The movement to abolish slavery was and still is one of the most controversial topics in history. Many of the difficulties in the movement included: a resistant political cabinet, getting 20 democrats to change their vote, and most importantly, racism. Racism was the number one issue with the proposal and ratification of the amendment. Predominately in the south, the nation did not want the amendment to pass because many felt that with the ratification of the amendment, that blacks would then receive all of the same abilities and rights that white had such as voting, owning property, holding and taking office in congress, and having a high rank in the military. Many were also fearful of intermarriages.
When Lincoln was proposing the amendment, his cabinet was very resistant of helping him. They did not believe that the amendment was going to directly end the war and they were wary of what the south would do if it passed. Many congressional members did not want to vote for it because they thought that they would "be shot dead". Because of these difficulties, Lincoln had to use his implied powers to reconstruct the people's and congresses outlook on the bill.


Lincoln needed the amendment to pass and he did anything and everything he could to make sure that it did. He used him implied powers on congress to have it passed, though most of them were not ethical. In the final hours of the hearing, Lincoln falsely signed a document that said he had not known of any peace commissioners left, however, he directly knew of one living in Richmond, Virginia. This act could have led to an impeachment and trial of treason of it had gotten out to the public, but Lincoln took the risk. Lincoln twisted the truth in other situations as well to persuade people to vote for the amendment. He offered jobs to lame duck politicians in exchange for their vote so when they were not up for reelection, they would still be employed.
When Lincoln passed the emancipation proclamation, it was not embedded into the constitution, and therefor was not guaranteed to remain after his presidency; with the ratification of the 13th amendment, it would be. Without changing the constitution, the emancipation proclamation could be rescinded and the war on slavery would not have ended. Abraham Lincoln believed this amendment needed to pass to end the war and to have equality throughout America.