The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was written throughout the year 1862, but wasn’t published until January 1, 1863. Lincoln wrote it as a final effort to end the war, not because he was against slavery. When the Congress suggested the proclamation to him, he rejected it. Later, he realized it could help bring reinforcements and renewed hope to the Union, while bringing disaster to the Confederacy.
Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which stated: “all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free”. Many freed slaves joined the war with supporting roles such as being cooks. Lincoln didn't want them to fight because he thought they might rebel. African-Americans became soldiers later in the war however.
Lincoln knew that African-Americans couldn’t stay free unless the Union won the war. When slaves ran away, the Confederacy became a disaster because there was no one to tend to their plantations. The economy of the south plummeted. Run-away slaves would also rebel while escaping, leaving the south in turmoil. This helped raise hope for the Union. Slavery was the tool to ending the war because it destroyed the south helping the Union win many battles and advance through the south.
Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which stated: “all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free”. Many freed slaves joined the war with supporting roles such as being cooks. Lincoln didn't want them to fight because he thought they might rebel. African-Americans became soldiers later in the war however.
Lincoln knew that African-Americans couldn’t stay free unless the Union won the war. When slaves ran away, the Confederacy became a disaster because there was no one to tend to their plantations. The economy of the south plummeted. Run-away slaves would also rebel while escaping, leaving the south in turmoil. This helped raise hope for the Union. Slavery was the tool to ending the war because it destroyed the south helping the Union win many battles and advance through the south.
"If the Proclamation of Emancipation was essentially a war measure, it had the desired effect of creating confusion in the South and depriving the Confederacy of much of its valuable laboring force. If it was a diplomatic document, it succeeded in rallying to the Northern cause thousands of English and European laborers who were anxious to see workers gain their freedom throughout the world. If it was a humanitarian document, it gave hope to millions of Negroes that a better day lay ahead, and it renewed the faith of thousands of crusaders who had fought long to win freedom in America."
~John Hope Franklin - Historian |
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This video explains what the Emancipation Proclamation was and how it helped during the war.
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