What was a significant outcome of the Civil War?

The abolition of slavery was a significant outcome of the Civil War, primarily enacted through the Emancipation Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 and later solidified by the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in 1865. The Civil War was fought over numerous issues, but central to the conflict was the issue of slavery and states' rights. As the war progressed, the goal of preserving the Union evolved to include the liberation of enslaved people, marking a crucial transformation in societal values and legal frameworks.

This outcome fundamentally changed the landscape of American society, leading to the integration of formerly enslaved individuals into the social fabric as citizens with rights, though full equality remained a struggle for many years afterward. The abolition of slavery also set the stage for subsequent movements for civil rights, including those advocating for women's suffrage and other forms of social justice in the future.