Abraham Lincoln; The Great Emancipator?
analytical Essay
1311 words
Myth and fact have always been at odds. Time and time again myth has been misrepresented as fact. To such an extent it has been ingrained so deeply within the cultural mind, people cease to question its feasibility. To quote Mark Twain, “For the world will not stop and think, it never does, it is not our way; its way is to generalize from a single example”. If asked, nearly every person will unquestionably state that it was Abraham Lincoln and his Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves from their southern bondage. In his article “Who Freed the Slaves?” John Green claims “this telling of history oversimplifies the truth so much as to render it useless.” . As the factuality of this great American historical antecedent has been called into question, the question still stands, if Abraham Lincoln did not free the slaves, who did? This also poses the question Lincoln’s involvement, if he had any, in the fight against slavery. While it is true that Lincoln fundamentally opposed slavery, he could not actively fight against the institution. Lincoln’s attentions were more focused on the crumbling union and his need to appease any potential allies. One might point out Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation freed the slaves. The Emancipation Proclamation has been called one the most misunderstood documents in American history, and with good reason. While the Emancipation Proclamation did free slaves, it was a more of a war tactic than a true attempt at universal freedom. Instead, the Emancipation Proclamation declared “all persons held as slaves within any state or designated part of a state – the people whereof shall then be on rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thence forward and forever free…”. Essentially, Linco... ... middle of paper ... ...e Slaves?." dlt.ncssm.edu. http://www.dlt.ncssm.edu/lmtm/docs/EndOfSlavery/EmancipationProclamationScript.pdf (accessed January 28, 2013). GoodHeart, Adam. "How Slavery Really Ended in America." New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/03/magazine/mag-03CivilWar-t.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 (accessed December 28, 2013). Green, John. "Who freed the slaves?." Socialist Worker. http://socialistworker.org/2005-1/532/532_08_FreedTheSlaves.shtml (accessed December 30, 2013). Lincoln, Abraham. The Emancipation Proclamation. Champaign, Ill.: Project Gutenberg, 199. Martin, Michel, and Lonnie Bunch. "What The Emancipation Proclamation Didn't Do." NPR. http://www.npr.org/2013/01/09/168957092/what-the-emancipation-proclamation-didnt-do (accessed December 28, 2013). McPherson, James. Who Freed the Slaves. Vol. 139, No. 1. ed. NA: e American Philosophical Society, 1995.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how butler used his wit and in-depth knowledge of the law to hold the escaped slaves as contraband of war.
- Argues that lincoln's emancipation proclamation is one of the most misunderstood documents in american history.
- Analyzes how butler's wartime emancipation was a pivotal role in weakening the confederacy.
- Analyzes foner, eric, gershenhorn, jerry, and goodheart, adam. "how slavery really ended in america."
- Explains martin, michel, and lonnie bunch, "what the emancipation proclamation didn't do." npr. mcpherson, james. who freed the slaves.
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- Abraham Lincoln: The Great Emancipationanalytical essayAbraham Lincoln: The Great Emancipator 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 this essay, the author
- Analyzes how abraham lincoln's presidency helped solidify the united states of america as a nation dedicated to the progress of civil rights.
- Analyzes how lincoln's 'house divided' speech, outlined his beliefs regarding secession, but did not solidify the abolition of slavery as his main goal.
- Explains that lincoln did not believe that negroes were equal to white men in regards to intellect or morals. he was staunchly against slavery as an institution and felt that the declaration of independence included black persons.
- Explains that lincoln held firm to the idea that the united states' defining quality was its uniquely democratic government. lincoln's interpretation of the constitution legitimized the ownership of slaves.
- Analyzes lincoln's view that the secession by southern states was nothing more than insurrection. lincoln believed that entitlements did not include the right to secede.
- Argues that if lincoln had given into the south's demands, the secession of the southern states would have been avoided altogether. lincoln knew he had to preserve the union through other means.
- Explains that lincoln's stance on slavery was not clear-cut during his election. fellow republicans were unsure of where he stood on the issue, and the same can be said of his opposition.
- Analyzes how lincoln's conviction that negroes were of a lower standing than white males is evident in one of his first attempts to combat the institution of slavery.
- Explains that lincoln's motives for compensated emancipation were deeper than the desire to eradicate slavery for the sake of the slaves.
- Explains that lincoln's emancipation proclamation was a brave move for lincoln, who had up until then been cautious, but it freed very few slaves.
- Explains that black slaves were the backbone of the confederate army, even though they were not soldiers until the final month of battle.
- Explains that lincoln claimed that the power to free the slaves was outlined in article ii, section 2 of the constitution. the proclamation did exactly what lincoln intended it to do.
- Analyzes how lincoln's proclamation affected the south domestically, but also internationally. european countries were appalled at the fact that south was dependent on slavery in their economy and society.
- Explains that lincoln's title as 'the great emancipator' is perhaps most effectively justified in one of the final acts during his presidency.
- Argues that lincoln's actions entitle him to be known as 'the great emancipator.'
- Cites foner, eric, lincoln's 'the fiery trial: abraham lincoln and american slavery', the annals of america, 1968, n. pag.
1764 wordsRead More - Oppression in America after the Civil Waranalytical essayIn September 1862, Lincoln published an introductory emancipation proclamation and a year later he made it official that "slaves within any State, or designated part of a State (...) in rebellion, (...) shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free"(Tallant). Even though Lincoln's opinion on antislavery was well found, his attempt to free all the slaves was actually a failure because his main goal was to free the Confederate slaves who were beyond his control. In fact, it also partly failed to free the slaves within his control...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that slavery in america began in 1619 when the first african slaves were brought to work on the production of crops. the emancipation proclamation was president lincoln's desired solution to the slavery problem but the civil war erupted.
- Analyzes how lincoln's emancipation proclamation triggered the path to a better world of trust and understanding.
- Analyzes how eugene o'neill used brutus jones' clothes to evoke power and respect in his play "the emperor jones".
- Analyzes how charlotte gilman's "the yellow wallpaper" is the perfect example of non-black discrimination after the civil war with themes ranging from "freedom and confinement" to "madness"
- Explains that the emancipation proclamation set theoretical rules in an attempt to end oppression against the blacks, and the majority of americans voted for a black president.
1086 wordsRead More - Overview Of Abraham Lincoln's View On Slaveryanalytical essayWith Lincoln’s election to congress in 1854 and the start of the Mexican War, it brought the issue of the expansion of slave territory to the nation’s attention. With this, Lincoln created a coherent position on slavery. “He was opposed to black equality and had no intention of disturbing slavery in slave states. However, he recognized that slavery was wrong and should not be allowed to spread to new states.” (Dillon, Amber. "Lincoln's Changing Views on Slavery”) This obvious alter in Lincoln’s position developed as he gained political maturity.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how lincoln's next big outlook change on slavery came from when he ran for senate in 1858 against stephen a. douglas.
- Analyzes how lincoln's views on him having no inclination of removing slavery from the south had changed. he wanted the nation to come together as one, instead of two as they have always been.
- Explains that abraham lincoln wasn't born "the great emancipator," though he became a "gro
- Analyzes how lincoln's views on slavery were constructed by the times and places in which he was raised and during his time serving his country.
- Analyzes how lincoln's views were politically motivated, focusing on ending the civil war and preserving the union. the gettysburg address was one of the first times lincoln had shown his feelings about whites and slaves being made equal.
1021 wordsRead More - Abraham Lincoln and the Kansas-Nebraska Actanalytical essayAbraham Lincoln’s original views on slavery were formed through the way he was raised and the American customs of the period. Throughout Lincoln’s influential years, slavery was a recognized and a legal institution in the United States of America. Even though Lincoln began his career by declaring that he was “anti-slavery,” he was not likely to agree to instant emancipation. However, although Lincoln did not begin as a radical anti-slavery Republican, he eventually issued his Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves and in his last speech, even recommended extending voting to blacks. Although Lincoln’s feeling about blacks and slavery was quite constant over time, the evidence found between his debate with Stephen A. Douglas and his Gettysburg Address, proves that his political position and actions towards slavery have changed profoundly.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that abraham lincoln's original views on slavery were formed through the way he was raised and the american customs of the period.
- Explains that abraham lincoln was an intricate yet prosperous person, shown through his movement from poverty to politics. he was born to poverty in kentucky in 1809 and settled in illinois at the age fifteen.
- States that the kansas-nebraska act, proposed by stephen a. douglas and signed by franklin pierce, divided the region into two territories. each territory would decide for itself whether or not to permit slavery.
- Explains that the kansas-nebraska act and the dred scott ruling caused the rise of abraham lincoln and sparked a series of debates between douglas and lincoln.
- Analyzes how douglas failed to realize that lincoln was not a radical at this time and actually shared many racial prejudices of the day.
- Opines that they have no purpose directly or indirectly to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it exists.
- Explains that many believe that lincoln was for slavery during the debate. he admitted to not interfering where slavery exists and had no purpose in creating equality among black and whites.
- Opines that lincoln's stance on slavery and racism shows that he feels that blacks and whites would not be able to coexist.
- Analyzes how lincoln did not win the senatorial election, but it prepared him for bigger endeavors. the result of the election revealed the sharp divide between north illinois and south illinois.
- Analyzes how lincoln's election as president sealed the deal and caused southern states to secede from the union and become the confederate states of america. lincoln denied any intention of interfering with slavery in the states.
- Explains that lincoln decided that the emancipation of slaves was both a political and military necessity throughout the civil war.
- Explains that lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation, which was a turning point in the civil war but also in lincoln's own thinking and political position.
- Explains that frederick douglass, fugitive slave, assisted abraham lincoln in many areas. he advised lincoln on the employment of black soldiers.
- Explains that the victory of the northern armies and the return of rebellious states back to the union was a time for celebration in america.
- Analyzes how lincoln conveyed his conception of the war's meaning in his gettysburg address, delivered in 1863 at the site of civil war’s greatest battle.
- Analyzes how lincoln began his speech with "four score and seven years ago" which dates back to 1776. lincoln wanted his audience to calculate backwards and realize that the nation's starting point was not the constitution but the declaration of independence and its declaration of equality.
- Opines that we strongly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under god, shall have a new birth of freedom.
- Explains that the sacrifice of the lives of so many soldiers gave lincoln a new perspective on life, liberty, and freedom and now lincoln is no longer defending slavery.
1503 wordsRead More - Abraham Lincolnanalytical essayIn Abraham Lincoln: The Man Behind the Myths, Stephen Oates interpretation of the Historical Lincoln had three examples of Lincoln’s actions; Moral decisions, his expression and progression. The first illustration that I see is his beliefs in moral determination. He not only believed that ethically slavery was wrong, but also believed that he could do something about it. One way that he tried to change peoples mind was to pass the Emancipation Proclamation Act. The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." Even though this Proclamation did not immediately free a single slave, Lincoln believed that it was a start in ending slavery. Lincoln “…contended in any case that blacks who had tasted freedom would never consent to be slaves again” (p.115). He believed that once the “black’s” or slaves had a chance at freedom, Lincoln knew that they would never go back to being treated unequally. Lincoln was not much more than the simple saint, he was just an abolitionist. He was determined to stand by his word. He was willing to do anything and everything to get his beliefs out. Another action that I choose to illustrate his ways was his expressions. Lincoln felt so strongly about the Union that he expressed that the “…slaves were a tremendous source of strength…” (p. 105). He conjectured that having the slaves freed meant that the military would be much stronger. Even though ...
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes lincoln's moral decisions, expressions, and progression in abraham lincoln: the man behind the myths.
- Analyzes how lincoln was liberal minded in his way of expressions. he believed that all men were created equal and entitled to liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
- Concludes that we can only rely on myths and stories that are available to us. abraham lincoln's beliefs in moral decisions, expressions, and his progression were proven through the "emancipation proclamation act".
670 wordsRead More - The Great Emancipator Analysisanalytical essayLincoln declared that “all persons held as slaves” in areas in rebellion “shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” Not only liberate slaves in the border slave states, but the President has purposely made the proclamation in all places in the South where the slaves were existed. While the Emancipation Proclamation was an important turning point in the war. It transformed the fight to preserve the nation into a battle for human freedom. According the history book “A People and a Nation”, the Emancipation Proclamation was legally an ambiguous document, but as a moral and political document it had great meaning. It was a delicate balancing act because it defined the war as a war against slavery, not the war from northern and southern people, and at the same time, it protected Lincoln’s position with conservatives, and there was no turning
In this essay, the author
- Argues that abraham lincoln deserves the title "the great emancipator" for his actions during and following the civil war.
- Analyzes how lincoln hated slavery. he was born in kentucky and moved to indiana, where he was moderate of slavery but pervaded by racism.
- Analyzes how lincoln eloquently described the injustice of the institution of slavery in his speech at peoria in october 1854.
- Analyzes how lincoln hated slavery, and as a republican, he wished to exclude it from the territories constitutionally.
- Explains that abraham lincoln's emancipation proclamation was an important turning point in the war. it was legally an ambiguous document but as a moral and political document it had great meaning.
- Explains that the emancipation proclamation did little to clarify the status of the freed slaves; it opened the possibility of military service for blacks. lincoln exhibited a remarkable ability to alter his attitudes according to circumstance.
- Explains that abraham lincoln was the first president who took action in the cause of emancipation in time and dedicated the war effort to the goal of freedom.
1296 wordsRead More - The Emancipation Proclamation: Who Truly Freed The Slaves?explanatory essayThe Emancipation Proclamation proposes a central question of “who truly freed the slaves?” in the 1860s. The question is a broad debate, posing many aspects and a variety of opinions. The common educated American might suggest that this was Abraham Lincoln’s doing, considering he was president at the time of action. But historians who look deeper into the situation to scope out other answers to the question, offering the idea that it was the slaves themselves, or even individual states. However, the war itself was the primary factor for setting the slaves free because without the Civil War, the “door to freedom would have remained closed” until another large uprising came about to put an end to slavery (131).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the emancipation proclamation proposes a central question of "who truly freed the slaves?" in the 1860s.
- Explains that racial unrest was growing exponentially in the years leading up to the civil war. south carolina was the first confederate state to secede because lincoln won the presidential election on an "antislavery platform".
- Explains that the war was fueled by several notable events in the 1800s, such as the missouri compromise and the fugitive slave law.
- Explains that lincoln's emancipation proclamation allowed freed slaves to join the union army in the civil war.
- Opines that lincoln's role in freeing slaves was crucial to the destruction of slavery in the united states. without the war, there would have been no threat to slavery.
- Explains that african americans played an unforgettable role in achieving their own freedom. slaves led rebellions in the south, such as nat turner's "bloody rebellion" in 1831.
- Opines that the civil war brought slavery to a halt, but the north's efforts later turned into the war on slavery. abraham lincoln kept the country united despite the chaos and stood firm in his wise decisions.
1023 wordsRead More - Lincoln Inaugural Address Analysisanalytical essayReading Lincoln’s first Inaugural Address, one wouldn’t think he would be the president to end slavery.Speaking on outlawing slavery, he says,“I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so.” At the time, Lincoln wasn’t worried about slavery,
In this essay, the author
- Explains that lincoln's famous quote, "a house divided against itself cannot stand," describes his presidency well- focusing on maintaining the union.
- Analyzes how lincoln's first inaugural address was about outlawing slavery. he was worried about the country, but knew he could only do so much.
- Explains that lincoln's emancipation proclamation was a momentous turn of events because while the south had fewer laborers, the north received more soldiers.
- Analyzes how lincoln's emancipation proclamation didn't free all slaves because of specific seceded states and border states. lincoln knew that the country would become all one thing or all the other.
- Analyzes how the thirteenth amendment passed easily in the republican dominated senate, but failed to get the two third majority required by quite a bit. lincoln's tone was changing, and he was only beginning his push towards freedom for slaves.
- Analyzes how lincoln's big push for the thirteenth amendment came in his second term. he had just beaten out george b. mcclellan for president.
- Explains that lincoln wanted to end slavery and ensure that it would never happen again. the thirteenth amendment failed in its first vote in congress, but he was looking forwards.
- Explains that lincoln needed more people on his side for the second upcoming vote on the thirteenth amendment. if lincoln could win over the border states, he would have his majority.
- Analyzes how lincoln broke his promises to save the country. he bought votes to turn a new page in our history and free all slaves.
1028 wordsRead More - Abraham Lincoln: Best Presidentopinionated essayLincoln is famously known for ending slavery. He Issued the Emancipation of Proclamation. The presidential proclamation was issued during the American Civil War. Lincoln stated in his speech, "I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of states, and henceforward shall be free." The states he was referring to were the 11 out of 22 states that still had slavery. It was because of Lincoln that millions ...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that there have been great presidents throughout american history, but the subject of the matter is debatable about who has done the best job.
- Explains that lincoln ended slavery by enacting the emancipation of proclamation during the american civil war.
- Analyzes how lincoln modernized the economy by signing the abolition of slavery and the pacific road acts. the railroad expansion provided new avenues, sold portions of land to arriving settlers, and drew highest profits.
- Explains that lincoln persevered with the united states by freeing slaves and modernizing our economy. he delivered the gettysburg address during the american civil war, one of the greatest speeches in american history.
- Opines that lincoln has accomplished an ample amount during his presidency and throughout his life.
537 wordsRead More - Argumentative Essay On Abraham Lincolnanalytical essay“Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the morals of the people or individual oppressing them”, is the idea of Abraham Lincoln’s presidential policy. Abraham Lincoln, a Republican, pushed America towards its present ideals. Lincoln’s leadership was practical and hopeful; yet he did not press for the reality of the phrase “All Men Were Created Equal”. I would give him a grade of a B average. He had good intentions, and progressive ideas, but he did not know how to handle them or order them to be passed majority of the time. However, he led the United States through one of the bloodiest, Constitutional wars that America has been in. He proved his worthiness of President among issues such as the
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how lincoln pushed america towards its present ideals, but he did not push for the reality of the phrase "all men were created equal".
- Explains that lincoln believed that colonization was the solution to stripping the nation of its characterizations. he struggled to get congress on his side for many of his beliefs.
- Explains that lincoln's policy and legislation had much to do with slavery, the civil war, and improving the national crisis in america.
- Explains that lincoln's economic prosperity and perfection of the western civilization were vital to him. he signed numerous acts, including the morrill act, national banking act and the gettysburg address.
- Analyzes how lincoln was a pure-bred american, dependent on his secretary of state, william h. seward, to deal with foreign relations.
- Evaluates abraham lincoln's overall presidency as a b average. he had good goals and liberal ideas, but lacked leadership when it came to politics.
1589 wordsRead More