The Amendment
What was the main purpose of the Thirteenth Amendment?
To permanently abolish slavery in the United States.
Which side fought to preserve the Union during the Civil War?
The North (Union).
Who served as Lincoln’s Secretary of State and main adviser?
William Seward.
What was Abraham Lincoln’s role during the Civil War?
President of the United States.
What happens to Lincoln at the end of the film?
He is assassinated at Ford’s Theatre
What year does the film take place?
1865
What role does the Civil War play in shaping Lincoln’s decisions in the film?
It forces him to balance ending the war with ending slavery.
Who led the Radical Republicans in Congress and supported racial equality?
Thaddeus Stevens.
How does Mary Todd Lincoln appear in the film?
Supportive but emotionally burdened by grief and political stress.
What does the film suggest about Lincoln’s leadership during crisis?
He combined moral conviction with practical strategy
Why did Lincoln want the Thirteenth Amendment passed before the war officially ended?
He feared that once the Confederacy surrendered, there would be legal challenges to emancipation.
Why were peace talks with the Confederacy such a political problem for Lincoln?
If peace seemed close, Congress might delay or reject the amendment.
What role do W.N. Bilbo and his team of lobbyists play in the film?
They work to persuade undecided Democrats to vote for the amendment.
What conflict arises between Lincoln and his son Robert?
Robert wants to enlist in the army, but his parents fear for his safety.
What does the movie imply about the relationship between morality and politics?
That moral goals often require political compromise
What was one major argument made against the Thirteenth Amendment in Congress?
That equality between the races was against the laws of nature/God
Which event occurs soon after the Thirteenth Amendment passes?
The Civil War ends, and Lincoln is assassinated soon after.
What does Thaddeus Stevens do with the official copy of the amendment after the vote?
He brings it home and reads it aloud to his secret African American wife, showing his true beliefs in equality.
How does the film portray Lincoln’s leadership style?
Calm, thoughtful, humorous, and guided by principle and empathy.
What is the significance of the Thirteenth Amendment in U.S. history?
It legally ended slavery and became the foundation for future civil rights
What was the final outcome of the House vote on the amendment?
It passed, officially sending the amendment to the states for ratification.
How does the film portray the relationship between morality and politics in achieving change?
It shows that achieving moral goals often requires political compromise.
What was the vote outcome in the House of Representatives?
The amendment passed by a narrow margin
What does the film emphasize about Lincoln’s legacy after his death?
His moral courage and determination to unite the nation and end slavery.
How did Lincoln’s death affect Reconstruction and the nation’s recovery?
It left the country without his steady leadership, leading to a more divisive Reconstruction