Abraham Lincoln: The Unconventional Emancipator

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The Great Emancipator? “I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races…” are words spoken by Abraham Lincoln, who went on to become the 16th president of the United States. One could argue that, since this was uttered prior to his election and prior to the Civil War, Lincoln’s attitude eventually changed over the course of time. In fact, many refer to Lincoln as “the great emancipator” and use the title to honour him as a warrior for justice and equal rights. However, Abraham Lincoln did not end slavery in the name of equality and this is a fact that is constantly reinforced by his words and actions throughout the course of his presidency. To emancipate is …show more content…

He does not care how it affects the slaves or blacks in general. He has no intention of doing anything about slavery, unless it directly helps the Union. Later on that year, Lincoln recommends a Constitutional Amendment that abolishes slavery, but compensates former slave states and slave owners who were not disloyal to the Union if they comply by the beginning of the next year. He wants to compensate the enslavers because this will appease them and hopefully ensure that they will not rebel any further. When the states in rebellion did not comply, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation which declared that the slaves in the rebel states were free. Later on, he allowed blacks to fight for the Union. On this subject he said “[N]o human power can subdue this rebellion without the Emancipation lever as I have done. Freedom has given us control of 200 000 able bodied men, born & raised on southern soil…” (Abraham Lincoln). Throughout his presidency, Lincoln talks about being anti-slavery. However, he also talks about how he does not feel like he has the authority as president to act upon this belief (Abraham Lincoln). These decisions were not Lincoln’s way of changing his mind and deciding to encourage equality. They were strategic moves, deliberately used to tie slavery further to the war and help the

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