Which politician is known as the driving force behind the 14th Amendment that abolished slavery?

The 14th Amendment, which was a pivotal element in the Reconstruction Era, aimed to secure citizenship and equal protection under the law for all persons born or naturalized in the United States, particularly addressing the rights of formerly enslaved individuals after the Civil War. Thaddeus Stevens, as a prominent leader within the Radical Republican faction, played a crucial role in pushing for this amendment. His commitment to civil rights and equality was foundational in shaping the language and intent of the amendment, and he worked diligently to ensure it passed through Congress.

Stevens believed that true equality could only be achieved by redefining citizenship to include African Americans, which was an unprecedented notion at the time. Through his leadership and advocacy, he was instrumental in the amendment's introduction and subsequent ratification, solidifying the principle that all individuals, regardless of race, were entitled to the same legal protections under the Constitution. His efforts highlight the significant political struggle and ideological transformation occurring during the Reconstruction period aimed at rectifying the injustices of slavery.