People should also understand that slavery was ongoing in the Americas from the time of Christopher Colombus. It was a peculiar institution that wasn't begun by any "American". But Americans were the people who finally did put a stop to it (after 300! YEARS). It has only been a mere 150 yrs since emancipation. The dust still hasn't settled.
Slavery was very much ongoing at the same time this very young country was finding its legs. In the timeline, the ramping down of slavery pretty much fairly well coincided with the Declaration of Independence. As the individual sovereign states developed, certain ones made a point of directly confronting the peculiar institution. Philadelphia began immediate steps to eradicate it, while at the same time fully recognizing the laws of adjoining States. Article IV sec 3 (The Fugitive Slave Act) of the Constitution acknowledged that down the road there would be issues that would arise between states solely based on the peculiar practice. Other States took a different approach than Philadelphia. But, Slavery was definitely tangled up in the formative years of the red, white and blue. Lincoln had a full plate, he knew it and he rose to the occasion. Unfortunately, he was shot in the back of the head by a deranged coward ((whose name I don't mention) before he could finish his task. I don't understand how anyone could blame Lincoln for the aftermath that he was deprived from being involved in.
You’re absolutely right. Slavery was an old, old problem. But, now it’s gone, gone for good!