Thaddeus Stevens Tells His Experience Working to Stop Slavery During the US Civil War

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My name is Thaddeus Stevens, and I spent my life fighting for justice, equality, and the rights of the most vulnerable. Some called me radical, some called me fearless, but I never backed down when it came to doing what was right. Let me tell you my story.

I was born on April 4, 1792, in Vermont, into a life of hardship. I was born with a clubfoot, and my father abandoned our family when I was young. My mother worked hard to give me an education, and I did everything I could to make her proud. I studied law and eventually became a lawyer and politician, determined to use my voice to defend those who had none.

Early in my career, I became an abolitionist—someone who wanted to end slavery. I saw slavery for what it was: a brutal, inhumane system that had no place in a free country. I spoke out against it whenever I could, using my position in Pennsylvania politics and later in Congress to fight for abolition.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, I knew this was the chance to end slavery forever. As a leader in Congress, I pushed President Abraham Lincoln to make the war about freeing enslaved people, not just preserving the Union. When Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, I knew we were on the right path—but there was still more work to do.

After the war, I led the charge for Reconstruction, making sure that the Southern states were rebuilt with equality in mind. I helped write the 14th Amendment, which gave citizenship and equal protection under the law to all people, regardless of race. I also fought for the 15th Amendment, which gave Black men the right to vote. But I wanted even more—I wanted land and education for formerly enslaved people, so they could truly be free and independent.

Not everyone agreed with me. Many politicians, including President Andrew Johnson, wanted to go easy on the South and let old Confederate leaders return to power. I refused to let that happen. I led the fight to impeach Andrew Johnson, trying to remove him from office because he stood in the way of justice. We didn’t succeed, but we came close.

I spent my last years still fighting for equality, even as my health declined. I passed away on August 11, 1868, but I made sure my legacy would last. I chose to be buried in an integrated cemetery, with this message on my gravestone: "Equality of Man before his Creator."

Looking back, I know my work wasn’t easy, and I made a lot of enemies along the way. But I never cared about being popular—I cared about doing what was right. If there’s one lesson I want you to take from my story, it’s this: stand up for justice, even when it’s hard. The fight for equality is never over, and your voice can make a difference. Thank you for listening.

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