Slavery abolished and civil rights without a civil war

Could the US have abolished Slavery and the desendants of slaves achieved at least the degree of equality they have in OTL without a Civil War.

If so what is the latest POD
 
Could the US have abolished Slavery and the desendants of slaves achieved at least the degree of equality they have in OTL without a Civil War.

If so what is the latest POD

The latest you can get is probably late 18th century/early 19th century, before the "positive good" rationalization and the North/South divided hardened.
 
A war and the destruction of the South both politically and economically is important and in the best interest of the North. Centralization of the Federal Government isn't going to happen quick enough if the South maintains even a slim majority to block relative legislation in Congress.
 
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