Vermont in the American Civil War Vermont in the American Civil War During the American Civil War, the State of Vermont continued the military tradition started by the Green Mountain Boys of American Revolutionary War fame, contributing a significant portion of its eligible men to the war effort. The second article in Vermont's constitution, originally written in 1777, abolished slavery, making it the first state to do so. Although its climate was not conducive to the slave trade, Vermonters were early participants in the abolitionist movement. In the 1860 presidential election, Vermont gave Republican Abraham Lincoln a lopsided victory, 33,808 votes compared to 8,649 for Stephen
Slavery during the American Civil War loved ones, the last of these being often considered one of the most severe punishments. Slave resistance was widespread during and before the Civil War. One important outcome of that resistance was the effect it had on Southern troop morale as it undermined the belief that black people were more loyal to the Confederacy than the Union. Generally, African Americans cheered for Union victory and the Confederacy made a great effort to keep slaves under their control. After the war, Confederate veterans downplayed this resistance and professed to believe most slaves were loyal at heart. In reality, slave resistance was