We have already discussed the idea that the Emancipation changes the course of the Civil War--from a war to preserve the Union to a war to abolish slavery.
BUT, by the time the Emancipation Proclamation was issued, the idea of slavery seemed to take a new form. Confederates believed that they were political slaves to the Union's oppressive government. At the same time, Union soldiers would willingly seize fugitive slaves as contraband, which, to an extent, acknowledges the concept of slaves as property.
There is no denying that the Emancipation was at least one of the fulcrums that shifted the balance of power and strength between the Union and the Confederacy. But if it doesn't end slavery, then why is it so pivotal? Consider not only what we've already discussed, but other items that this particular article teaches us...
The emancipation proclamation did not end slavery but it was pivotal because it was a step in the direction towards equality. An abolitionist, one of Garrison’s famous slogans was, “ No Union with Slave- Holders,” which quickly became, “ Union without slavery.” Leading up to the Emancipation Proclamation, congress finally abolished slavery in the District of Columbia. Then, two confiscation acts were passed against people supporting the rebellion. Their properties, the slaves, were freed. Lincoln, “urged border states to institute gradual emancipation,” in turn, Lincoln would financial compensate the slaveholders. As troops began to move south, many slave owners moved their slaves, disrupting their agricultural business. The Emancipation Proclamation offered freedom to those who fled to the Union lines. Unfortunately, the Proclamation did not emancipate the slaves in the four Border States. Though the proclamation did not free all the slaves, it did make the, “ productivity of bound labor [plummet].” The desire to be free was strong as ever in the slave community; all they had to do now was take the opportunity afforded to them that was granted by the Emancipation Proclamation.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this, I learned that the emancipation proclamation is very pivotal. Although president Lincoln personally found the practice of slavery horrible, he knew deep down that neither the Northerners nor the residents of the border slave states would support the abolition as a war aim. On September 22, soon after the Union victory at Antietam took place, Lincoln issued a preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that as of January 1, 1863, all slaves in the rebellious states "shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." The funny thing is the Emancipation Proclamation did not free a single slave, but it was an important turning point in the war, transforming the fight to preserve the nation into a battle for human freedom. People felt like this was more of a threat to their personal self not to the country.
ReplyDeleteFor President Lincoln himself, although slavery was terrible and in the bottom of his heart, he wanted to abolish slavery, but the actual situation didn't allow him to do it, because abolish slavery would cause more troubles in the Union at that time. The Emancipation Proclamation didn't free all the slaves immediately, but it did free slaves at once in some specific places, and laid the base of abolish of slavery. It was pivotal, because it meant that the purpose of war of the Union changed, it was not only just united the whole country, but also gradually add abolish slavery completely as a main objective. It did encouraged more and more black people to stand up and fight for their freedom, which caused riots in the Confederacy and strengthen the military power of the Union. Britain was also affected by the Emancipation Proclamation and it did change its connection with the Confederacy, which prevented the South from being approved as a individual country. The Emancipation Proclamation was a necessary action that totally changed the wartime situation, although it is released because it has to, it was very pivotal during the Civil War.
ReplyDeleteIn this article, "The War to Abolish Slavery?" it is learned that there are other importances that the Emancipation Proclamation presented, such as it changed the destiny of one side of the war. This changed the war because finally African Americans could serve a purpose, and seeing the opportunity they took it adding a much greater population to the Union Army. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery it was a huge step towards it in giving some African Americans a chance to prove themselves.
ReplyDeleteThe Emancipation Proclamation was not just legislation to abolish slavery. It was almost as if by adopting it you were siding with the Union and picking a side. Lincoln in 1862 began offering border states financial aid if they were to adopt the Proclamation. It wasn't an immediate abolishment of slavery because that was not something that was widely supported. It was baby steps in that direction so they could find more support in both the extremists and moderates who were able to find themselves being able to meet on middle ground.
ReplyDeleteThe Emancipation Proclamation was a pivotal part in slave equality because it was the first time the country could agree on the issue of slavery. These contraband soldiers shifted the war because now instead of the South having all their slaves as soldiers they now shifted to the Norths side and caused the North to now have an astronomical advantage in troop size. The 54th regiment showed african americans that they actually can have a purpose in the war and in the country once the war was over.
ReplyDeleteI think that when everyone thinks of the emancipation proclamation, they think that it was the North being the good guys but is that the whole truth? the whole world was watching this war and many nations had already abolished slavery or were close to do so. so the question is now, what side would benefit the most from releasing the slaves. the south would benefit because as the article said if the south were to abolish slavery then the northern abolitionist would protest the war, until they went back on that but that's war i guess. the North, if they stopped slavery, would gain allies in Europe and they would help the war effect. so the abolishment of slavery was more of a tactic in the war rather then a good moral thing the north did.
ReplyDeleteThe Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery because although Abraham Lincoln would have loved to end slavery, he could not because it would cause more problems for the south. Lincoln did not want more crises going on with the north and the south. The emancipation proclamation did not free the entire slave nation but it helped transform the southern and northern states.
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