Abraham Lincoln And The Emancipation Proclamation

President Lincoln strategically thought of the repercussions before issuing the Emancipation Proclamation. He considered the necessity of emancipation on September 22, 1881, in a letter to Orville Browning, and he also questioned his executive power

In school we are taught that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves. This statement is reinforced continuously throughout our education, beginning from the time we are in elementary school to when we are in high school. However, it’s never really expounded upon when taught. The discussion never goes further than ‘Abraham Lincoln enacted the Emancipation Proclamation and thus freed the slaves’, but is still able to instill the implication that he did so out of his own moral values and that life for ex-slaves was better for it. The truth of the matter is actually the complete opposite. The emancipation proclamation was a purely political decision that instead of truly freeing the slaves, only served to keep them bound.

With the Civil War in full swing in 1863, President Lincoln was grappling with a nation divided. Long-standing racial turmoils had finally boiled over in 1861 with the battle of Fort Sumter. The country had been thrown headfirst into bloody battles, culminating most recently with the infamous Battle of Antietam. Antietam allowed the president to issue the most important document of his career with a narrow Union “victory”and an attempt to boost low spirits. As a result, the North secured an advantage when Lincoln announced his intent to free all Confederate slaves with the shocking Emancipation Proclamation. Determined on securing and protecting the Union, Lincoln took a pragmatic approach in issuing the controversial document. A defining moment in American history, it is essential to investigates the reasons and acts leading up to it, the responses it elicited from the nation and the world, and its effects on the country.

1) What is the Emancipation Proclamation? When is Baldwin’s letter written and what is the significance of the timing of his letter (specifically: what is the situation of African Americans at the time Baldwin wrote the letter?)

The 1860’s was a difficult time for the United States of America as it was the time period where they went into the American Civil War. At a time of slavery and many conflicting ideas, the United States was falling apart and at its most divided time ever. As the elected president in 1861, Abraham Lincoln had to fix the issues that the country was facing. Some of those issues included slavery, the separation of the north and south, and the Civil War itself. Today, Abraham Lincoln is generally known as a great president who took charge of a country in need and did many things that had a positive influence over the United States. One of Lincoln’s biggest achievements as president of the United States was the Emancipation Proclamation

Lincoln decided to issue the Emancipation Proclamation because he needed to turn the battle into a moral issue rather than just trying to win back the states lost from the Union. It is known that the North had lost many battles and needed men to fight for the Union. So, Lincoln justified the emancipation to liberate slaves, which give them the chance to fight for the Union. This was proven to be successful, as 200,000 black men joined the Union to fight the confederacy. Moral of the Union was also low, and the Emancipation Proclamation provided the needed public support to help the Union to continue to fight the war. Also, this was done to prevent European forces from recognizing the Confederacy as its own Nation, thus preventing any possible

Lincoln still has not found the right man for the job. Richmond is under the control of the Confederates which is making is more and more furious and it is making him look bad. To try and salvage his reputation, he created the Emancipation Proclamation, which took effect on January 1, 1863. This such ruling is for the eleven rebellion states, to free the slaves. The Confederacy wasn't having it. This confused some people because Lincoln freed the slaves where he couldn't, instead of where he could. It was a smart business strategy to ensure the four states who had slavery, but were on the Union's side, stayed there. He also did this to prevent England and France from joining in on the Confederate side of war, which worked. Lincoln thought that

The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by President Abraham Lincoln. This document stated that all of the enslaved people within the rebellious states are forever free. President Lincoln’s view towards the United States Constitution was that it protected slavery within the states it previously existed. Thus, Lincoln did not declare the document at the time because he understood that the northern states would not fight for slavery liberation. Later in 1862, slaves started to join the northern army. President Lincoln perceived this this as a sign of nullification and he could now continue on with the Emancipation Proclamation. Lincoln’s Secretary of State was William H. Seward, he advised that they waited to issue the Proclamation until they

If he moved too soon, Northern voters might turn against his party in the Congressional election of 1862 and force on him a hostile Congress, unwilling to continue prosecuting the war. He was preparing Northerners to think of the document as a measure necessary to win the war and preserve the nation, not to achieve humanitarian goal or change the social order. Only then, he felt, would Northern whites accept it. On July 22, 1862 he called his cabinet together and revealed that he had reached his momentous decision. Just as all great leaders, Lincoln usually polled the members of his Cabinet to get each person’s opinion and would then make an informed decision. But he bluntly told them that he would entertain no opposition or debate. He did however, after his announcement, take the advice of his most trusted ally, Secretary of State William Seward, by postponing the Proclamation until the Union could win a victory on the battlefield - therefore issuing his proclamation not from weakness, but from strength. Over the next two months, as the Union war effort stalled, the inevitability of emancipation remained the best-kept secret in

After the Union won the Civil War African American slaves were freed but different Problems a rise during the reconstruction period. The Emancipation Proclamation written by Abraham Lincoln would give the win to the United states which would result in a revolt by the Confederacy. States that were once a part of the confederacy should terminate the idea of slavery and pledge to tie up all the money owed to the North. Without doubt first codes were issued in the state of Mississippi and South Carolina stating the African Americans should have a record showing that they engage in a job and they would have to pay taxes if they did not work

The Emancipation Proclamation consists of two executive orders issued by United States President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War. The first one, issued September 22, 1862, declared the freedom of all slaves in any state of the Confederate States of America that did not return to Union control by January 1, 1863. The second order, issued January 1, 1863, named ten specific states where it would apply. Lincoln issued the Executive Order by his authority as "Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy" under Article II, section 2 of the United States Constitution. Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation didn’t free all the slaves, but it kept critical border states from seceding and it

In January 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation meant freeing of African-Americans from the life of slavery and in result of the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln was known as “ The Great Emancipator”, but was that a title earned? Lincoln worked with those who wanted to abolish slavery but in no way shape or form did Lincoln associate himself with them as an abolitionist (Pruitt, 2012). “His legacy as The Great Emancipator, liberating over four million slaves, has generated a controversial debate n Lincoln’s position towards race and racism” ( Nagler, 2009). Emancipation Proclamation was mainly for military purposes, he did not believe that African-American slaves were equal to white men and women

During the Abraham Lincoln’s short time as president, he managed not only to save a nation deeply divided and at war with itself, but to solidify the United States of America as a nation dedicated to the progress of civil rights. Years after his death, he was awarded the title of ‘The Great Emancipator.’ In this paper, I will examine many different aspects of Lincoln’s presidency in order to come to a conclusion: whether this title bestowed unto Lincoln was deserved, or not. In order to fully understand Lincoln, it is necessary to understand the motives that drove this man to action. While some of his intentions may not have been for the welfare of slaves, but for the preservation of the Union,

Abraham Lincoln is known as the sixteenth president of the United States. A self-taught lawyer by trade who was born in a one room cabin in Kentucky, he came from meek beginnings. Mr. Lincoln was only known to have a few years of formal schooling he had to work to help support his family. He moved to the capital of Illinois and practiced as a lawyer. This is where he earned his nick name of Honest Abe. He was known to help the common man. He met and married a woman named Mary Todd. They had four sons. One of which passed away with Typhoid fever. He was shot by John Wilkes Booth in Ford’s theater on April 14, 1865 and died the very from a gunshot to the head. He never lived to see the Union win the war with the plans he helped devise. He next day is known in history for his moving speeches. Two of the main speeches are the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation. Both of these are remembered today as turning points in history. Honest Abe was not only our president but a leader in that he felt like he needed to protect our constitution and the rights it afforded us but also protect the Union. He was a level headed man in a time of war and conflict. He was elected to office when the Union was in a state of unrest due to the issue of slavery. Several states succeeded when he was elected to office. This set up a series of events that lead to the beginning of the civil war. The steps that he took forever changed the history of the United States.

Someone I look up to is Abraham Lincoln. I look up to him because of what he did to help reduce slavery. Slavery was a very bad thing that should have never happened. Even though it made people disfavor him, he stuck to what he believed was right, which was “like all men, blacks had the right to improve their condition in society and to enjoy the fruits of their labor”(pruitt, History.com,5 Things You May Not Know About Lincoln, Slavery and Emancipation, section 2). In my eyes Lincoln is a man that deserves recognition for what he’s done.