The radical Republicans had important roles in the advancing of rights for black Americans. The radicals were a faction of the Republican party. These Radicals had its ups and downs in their relationship with President Lincoln, and found the case to demand the abolition of slavery.

Among the main Radical figures of the Party were Thaddeus Stevenson, Charles Summer, and Benjamin Wade.

President Lincoln's answer to the Radical's demand on the abolition of slavery was not accepted at the very beginning for one simple reason: States like Kentucky, Missouri, and Delaware -that supported slavery- would have considered joining the Confederacy.