Abraham Lincoln and Slavery Essay - 1617 Words

Abraham Lincoln and Slavery Many Americans believe that Abraham Lincoln was the â€Å"Great Emancipator,† the sole individual who ended slavery, and the man who epitomizes freedom. In his brief presidential term, Lincoln dealt with an unstable nation, with the South seceding from the country and in brink of leaving permanently. The differing ideologies between the North and South about the economy and slavery quickly lead to civil war. It was now the duty of Lincoln to maintain the unity of the nation. Therefore, Lincoln is not the â€Å"Great Emancipator† because his primary goals throughout his presidency was always to maintain the unity of the nation and not achieve the emancipation of slaves. First of all, by looking at†¦show more content†¦150). Clearly, Lincoln was an undecided politician who was merely looking for votes. He never had any intention of ending slavery, but was rather looking for his own personal gains, and by appealing to both ideologies; he gained the necessary support to elect his president. From the beginning of his presidency, at Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address, it is clear to see he was not the â€Å"Great Emancipator,† but a man trying to maintain the unity of the nation. Lincoln believed that he had â€Å"no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists.† Lincoln continues and says, â€Å"I believe that I have not lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so† (Majewaki, pg. 70). Lincoln was a humble politician. He in no way wanted to endanger the unity of the nation. But it is important to see that his First Inaugural Address was given in March of 1861, already after the Southern states had succeded from the nation. What Lincoln was trying to accomplish was to return the Southern states to the union. Lincoln even goes as far as notifying the South that certain Legislatures have been passed to ensure their state rights, and the constitutionalism of slavery, â€Å"holding such a provision to now be implied constitutional law,† and that â€Å"(he) has no objection to its being made express and irrevocable.† (Majewski, pg. 75). Also, in a letter to HoraceShow MoreRelatedAbraham Lincoln Views on Slavery1608 Words   |  7 PagesAbraham Lincoln; Indecisively Decisive Michelle Futo AMH 2010-02 November 19, 2012 Former President Abraham Lincoln is accredited for creating the Emancipation Proclamation and ending slavery in the United States. Due to his actions before and during the Civil War, it seems as though Lincoln always viewed slavery as a terrible thing that must be stopped immediately. But that was not how he always felt. Lincoln’s views on slavery varied during his political career and his plan of action wasRead MoreAbraham Lincoln And The Abolition Of Slavery879 Words   |  4 PagesEven though the abolishment of slavery is a glorious accomplishment during his administration, it was not the only defining factor of Abraham Lincoln when he was president. Lincoln saw past the inequality of black and white and regarded equality and freedom above all as a basis for a united nation because he wrote the Gettysburg Address at a crucial time during the civil war to earn favor among freed slaves and to those opposed to slavery in the North and he decreed the Emancipation ProclamationR ead More Abraham Lincoln And Slavery Essay969 Words   |  4 Pages Abraham Lincoln and Slavery nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;What did Abraham Lincoln do and think regarding slavery during the Civil War? In Abrahams First Inaugural Address he states quot;I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that 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.quot;quot; (Pg 53-54) Lincoln did not want the SouthRead MoreEssay on Abraham Lincoln on Slavery2158 Words   |  9 PagesAbraham Lincoln on Slavery Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky (Abraham Lincoln Slavery and the Civil War, pg. 211, Johnson). Many Americans believe him to be one of the greatest presidents to ever serve in office. One thing that distinguished Lincoln from all the other former presidents was his distinct philosophy on slavery: that it is unfair and unjust to enslave another human being. Lincoln supported his opinion with a simple formula labeled the ‘Fragment onRead MorePresident Abraham Lincoln s Views On Slavery876 Words   |  4 Pagesseparated our country dramatically and on a course for certain changes. This is a time where the social norm of slavery being an idea in which nobody questions is starting to change. The fight over slavery begins between the north and the south. We also see seven states succeed from the union to show their position on the current government and to prove their views on slavery. President Abraham Lincoln assumes office as president in early March , and the Civil War begins just over a month later in 1861. BecomingRead MoreAbraham Lincoln, Slavery and the American Civil War Essay1716 Words   |  7 Pagesinvestigation will analyze how Abraham Lincolns view on slavery reflected during and after the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865. To analyze exactly how Lincolns position on slavery affected the war overall, this investigation looks at Lincolns moral and religious views as well as his social and political views. Two main sources were used, both dealing with events relevant to his political career and his roots in his career and other important issues including slavery. Lincoln by David Herbert DonaldRead MoreEssay on Abraham Lincoln: Slavery and The End of the Civil War646 Words   |  3 Pagesnever had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence.† Abraham Lincoln admired the declaration of independence and its founders. The Declaration of Independence was formed by the thirteen States of the confederacy. Represented by American liberty from each state. Twelve of these states where holders of slave. Abraham Lincoln legacy was for all men and women to be created equally. No matter what color or race you are, you have the right toRead MoreEssay about Abraham Lincoln and Slavery during the Civil War2075 Words   |  9 Pages Abraham Lincoln once said, â€Å"I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me† (â€Å"Letter to Albert G. Hodges† 281 as qtd. in R.J. Norton 1). In accordance with his quote, when President Lincoln issued the unprecedented Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, Lincoln freed slaves in the Southern states, but he and his actions were being controlled by Civil War. The Civil War was fought between 1861 and 1865 between the Northern states, or the Union, andRead MoreOne Man Making a Difference: Abraham Lincoln and Slavery Essays476 Words   |  2 Pagespeople can agree on the fact that president Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States is considered to be one of the most outstanding citizens. He is known for his presidency which he fought the confederacy during the civil war where he managed to abolish slavery. Which all happened with the help of the Republican party, whom were chosen because he felt like he wanted to make a point and would need the help of a strong party to do so. Lincoln was a man of not only right doings but ofRead MoreEssay on Abraham Lincoln - the Greatest President1069 Words   |  5 PagesAbraham Lincoln There have been forty four U.S. presidents over the past two hundred and twenty years. What president has served the best for our country? None other than Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln is the greatest president ever because he did great things such as ending slavery, getting the us through the Civil War, and helped our country a lot. The American Civil War was a war between the Southern states and the Confederate states. Abraham Lincoln was not very prepared for the war militarily