i have a question about lincoln and the emancipation proclamation?

Question

In 1858, before he became president, Lincoln said "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."

How can this statement be reconciled with Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation?

Answer 1

Very easily. In 1858, Lincoln was running for a Senate seat and his opponent Stephen Douglas was calling him an abolitionist. While nowadays we would like to think that Lincoln was an abolitionist, he wasn't, and to call someone that back then was the kiss of death for them. Lincoln was a Free Soiler, someone who was against slavery, and more importantly, against the spread of slavery to new states. He was not an abolitionist, though he did say he did not like slavery.
In 1863, as president and with the Civil War going on, he gave the emancipation proclamation, which at least freed slaves whereever the Union army went after Jan 1, `863. He stated later that he did it to help win the war. That was the main goal.

One could point out that as the war went on, he became more aware of the importance of African-Americans and their role in the war, and this pushed him to issue it.

Answer 2

Answered a similar question yesterday but, at a different angle. Yesterday being the anniversary of the proclamation.

Freeing the slaves was an economic endeavor not a political desire. In fact, congress was set to vote on the emancipation proclamation just prior to the civil war. Obviously, this didn't happen.

When the war was over the proclamation was signed into law however, many slaves were not free as Lincoln's replacement began appointing those that supported slavery and initiated local laws maintaining a commitment to slavery. Some of these laws we in effect for many years after 1863/64.

There are people from the last century that would argue slavery continued and continues, one being Dr King.

Answer 3

The emancipation proclamation was directed only toward the states that had seceded from the union. Slave states in the union weren't affected. It also did not apply to confederate states already conquered by the union. It was the 13th amendment that freed all slaves. After the proclamation, the union army started accepting black people into their army. So, southern slaves could go north and join the union army.

Answer 4

The Emancipation Proclamation freed only the slaves in the states that seceded from the union. This was an effort to weaken the confederate states and win the war. The confederate states had an agricultural economy versus the Noth's industrial one. Banning slavery would weaken the southern economy making it more difficult for them to keep fighting.

Answer 5

He used the emancipation proclamation to free the slaves in the states that had seceded from the union. He felt this would help the north and boost their morale. I don't really know if this helps or not. Good luck!

Answer 6

The statement from 1858 does not assert that Lincoln wishes to retain slavery. Thus there is no need for reconciliation.

Answer 7

Time and events change things and people. Lincoln grew greatly in human terms during the period you are talking about.
The threat of war, the War, and it's tragedy changed him greatly. He realized by 1863 that country divided or not, could not survive with slavery after the war was over, regardless of who would win.

Answer 8

if you also look at the situation there were a number of problems when Lincoln did this. many of the Union Soldiers had a problem with the freeing of the slaves as they were fighting to preserve the Union not free the slaves

Answer 9

wait stop the presses a politician said one thing then 5 years later said the complete opposite. well in 5 years alot of things can change. Plus the president isn't the dictator there are the house and senate.

Answer 10

I usually do not like wikipedia, but this time someone intelligent wrote the page.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emancipation_Proclamation