Which President freed the slaves?

Abraham Lincoln is recognized as the President who freed the slaves, primarily through the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. This landmark executive order declared that all enslaved persons in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. While it did not immediately free all slaves across the nation, it was a crucial step towards the abolition of slavery and signaled a significant shift in the Union’s war aims during the Civil War.

Lincoln's commitment to ending slavery was further solidified with the passage of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which formally abolished slavery throughout the United States in 1865. His leadership during the Civil War and his efforts to promote the freedom and rights of African Americans are key factors that mark his legacy regarding this critical issue in American history.

In contrast, the other presidents mentioned did not take actions aimed at freeing slaves. George Washington, the first president, was a slave owner himself and maintained the institution of slavery during his lifetime. Thomas Jefferson also owned slaves and, while he spoke of liberty and rights, did not take definitive actions to abolish slavery. Franklin D. Roosevelt served long after slavery had been abolished and focused on different issues, such as the Great Depression and World War II