Cashmere 1

Nivyukuri Cashmere

Dr. Jenel Cope

History-1700-13

4/17/2017

Emancipating the Slaves

On September 22, 1862, the 16th President of the United States issued an

executive order known has the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all

persons held as slaves within the rebellious area are and henceforward shall be

free. The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution which

abolished slavery in all states was passed and ratified three years after the

Emancipation Proclamation was passed. The Thirteenth Amendment to the

United States Constitution and the Emancipation Proclamation both had the

agenda of abolishing slavery, but the authors had far different approaches to

this issue. The Emancipation Proclamation appeared as the initial step to end

slavery but did not end slavery.

Lincolns view on Slavery

Since the beginning of Abraham Lincolns senatorial campaign, Lincoln

had argued that slavery was morally wrong, even as he seemed to accept the

racism inherent in slavery before the Civil War. He long feared the institution of

slavery because it was a threat to the unity of the nation. He warned that the
 Cashmere 2

nation would not survive if the slave states Vs free states division continued.

Yet, he would later do little to nothing regarding the matter, fearing that

disturbing slavery where it already existed would turn the nation into more

turmoil then it already was. I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to

interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I

have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so (Schwartz

591). This regards the fact that the South was committed to maintaining the

institution of slavery operation by any means, but President Abraham Lincoln

would proceed on determining to preserve the Union and prevent slavery from

spreading into any state where it didnt already exist.

Although President Abraham Lincoln strongly rejected the institution of

slavery in American, he nevertheless doubted the intellectual capacity of

African Americans. And certainly did not favor the idea of granting African

Americans equal rights with whites. He made this clear during the fourth

Lincoln- Douglas joint debate at Charleston on September 18, 1858:

I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been in favor of bringing

about in anyway the social and political equality of the white and

black races, -- that I am not nor ever have been in favor of making

voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office,

nor to intermarry with white people; and I will say in addition to

 Cashmere 3

this that there is a physical difference between the white and black

races which I believe will forever forbid the two races living together

on terms of social and political equality (Lincoln-Douglas).

President Abraham Lincoln maintained his view regarding African Americans

even during the Civil War.

Civil War and slavery

The American Civil War of 1861 was marked as the most bloody and

deadly struggle in American history, and forever shaped the United States in all

aspects. The Civil War is mostly associated with the act of slavery in the United

States, as the main cause of this internal conflict fought in the United States.

The slavery institution may have helped to lead the two sides into the war, but

was certainly not the main cause of the conflict. There were many other

political causes that directly contributed to the American Civil War. Yet slavery

was indeed one of the causes that stood out the most. As the nation expended

west, the South hoped to spread slavery to these new territories. This created a

tension between political leaders because the North had disowned the South

due to its refusal to terminate slavery and join the Union on its terms and

conditions.
 Cashmere 4

The Civil War was born as the tension between the Union and the South

regarding the expansion of slavery to the new territories becomes intense. By

this time eleven southern states had grouped themselves into what became

known as the Confederate States of America. During the second year into the

Civil War as the Union won several victories, President Abraham Lincoln issued

an executive order which became known as the Emancipation Proclamation.

President Abraham Lincoln ordered and declared that all persons held as

slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and

henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United

States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and

maintain the freedom of said persons. The Emancipation Proclamation

completely shifted the essential focus of the war. At least on the Union side.

What started as the war to preserve the Union, quickly shifted to include the

freedom for slaves as the legitimate war aim. In addition to President Abraham

Lincolns order to abolish slavery, he also declared that any slave with a

suitable condition, would be received into the armed service of the United

States. The Declaration of the Emancipation Proclamation played a major role

in the United States history. First, the executive order demonstrated the

Presidents war power. Not only to the Confederate States, but to the whole

nation. Secondly, the acceptance of any slave with a suitable condition into the
 Cashmere 5

armed service of the United States paved the way for African-Americans to join

the fight for the sake of their freedom. And thirdly, the Emancipation

Proclamation may have helped prevent the participation of foreign nations into

the War Between the States. Upon the declaration of the Emancipation

Proclamation, the war shifted its aim on the issue of slavery.

Conclusion

The Emancipation Proclamation appeared as the initial step to end

slavery but did not end slavery, though it led the way to total abolition of

slavery in the United States. It wasnt until the 13th Amendment to the

Constitution of the United States was passed on December 6th 1865 that

slavery was abolished throughout the United States for good. The problem with

the Emancipation Proclamation executive order is that it only applied to those

slaves within the rebellious states. And leaving those in Deep South

unmentioned. In addition to abolishing slaves only within the rebellious states,

the Emancipation Proclamation did not go into effect immediately. The Civil

War proceeded regardless of the issuing of the executive order. And many slaves

were still being used and fighting on the Confederates States front line.
 Cashmere 6

Works Cited

"Lincoln-Douglas Debate Number 4, 1858." Lincoln-Douglas Debate Number 4, 1858, 03 Jan.

2009, p. 1. EBSCOhost, libprox1.slcc.edu/login?

url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?

direct=true&db=f6h&AN=21212784&site=eds-live.

Schwartz, Barry. "The Emancipation Proclamation: Lincoln's Many Second Thoughts." Society,

vol. 52, no. 6, Dec. 2015, pp. 590-603. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1007/s12115-015-9954-7.