Slavery had existed for many years and they were used to doing all the work for their "owners". They were often mistreated, beaten, raped, overworked, etc. and the list goes on. Slavery was basically another form of prison because they didn't really have a choice or say because they were seen as "nobodies" and just people who would do all the work for their "owners". » for little or no money, almost like pets. . While states allowed this, some were against slave ownership, so it became an issue that national and state governments needed to hear about. While this issue lasted for about 3 to 4 years, finally, in 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment was passed by Congress and on January 31, 1865, it was finally ratified after the abolition of slavery. This particular conflict was no walk in the park and didn't last just a few months or a year, it lasted for some time until the issue was taken to the federal government and finally resolved. This wasn't the only thing African Americans had to fight for, as they had another problem ahead.