Lincoln and the Thirteenth Amendment /

"Long before the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln recognized the challenge American slavery posed to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. A constitutional amendment would be the ideal solution to ending slavery, yet the idea of such an amendment conflicted with several of Lincoln's long-held positions. ... this study ... examines how Lincoln's opposition to amending the U.S. Constitution shaped his political views before he became president and how constitutional arguments overcame Lincoln's objections, turning him in to a supporter of the Thirteenth Amendment by 1864. ... Closing with a lively discussion that applies the Thirteenth Amendment to current events, this concise yet comprehensive volume demonstrates how the constitutional change Lincoln helped bring about contines to be relevant today."--Book jacket flaps