Abraham Lincoln is known for his role in the abolition of slavery in the United States. As the 16th President, he led the nation during the Civil War, a conflict fundamentally rooted in issues of slavery and states' rights. Lincoln's commitment to preserving the Union and his belief in human equality culminated in the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared the freedom of slaves in Confederate states. Though it did not immediately end slavery, it set the stage for the eventual passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865, which formally abolished slavery nationwide, solidifying Lincoln’s legacy as a champion of freedom.