That was impossible without at least some of the former Confederate states joining in this ratification.

FORBES: In Lincoln (2012 Movie), Why Did Lincoln Rush The Vote On The 13th Amendment?

The amendment's framers clearly figured that enforcement would focus on the former Confederate states, Mr. Verrilli said.

WSJ: Justices Question Aspects of Voting Rights Act

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation formally freeing all slaves in the Confederate States.

CNN: Thursday,

The Census survey found on average slightly higher reports of voting among African-American voters than among whites in former Confederate states, 67% to 62%.

WSJ: Andrew Kohut: The Good News About Race and Voting

When it went into effect on January 1, 1863 -- 100 days later -- the Proclamation freed all those held as slaves in the Confederate states.

WHITEHOUSE: Our Top Stories

When Confederate batteries fired on Fort Sumter and forced its surrender, he called on the states for 75, 000 volunteers.

WHITEHOUSE: Abraham Lincoln