ignore this
Caitlyn Corrao
Period G
December 18, 2006
Slavery/Civil War-Essay Question
"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."
Abraham Lincoln's statement of 1858 can be reconciled with his 1862 Emancipation Proclamation, because both share Lincoln's belief that slavery should be ended to preserve the Union and that slaves should be freed, but not necessarily made equal to whites.
The above quote was made by Abraham Lincoln in 1858 during a series of debates with Senator Stephen Douglas in Illinois. During these debates, Lincoln generally took the more radical, anti-slavery outlook, and Douglas took a more pro-slavery stance. One reoccurring argument that Lincoln made was that he believed that the spread of slavery west should cease, and that it should just be contained to the places where it already existed, because it would eventually just die out. Some took this to mean that he was not only for the abolition of slaves, but also for the equality of African-Americans. In this quote, he addresses this issue by saying that he is no way a supporter of the equality of the races. He even goes on to say that he does not think that it is even possible for this to occur, showing that his intent was only to abolish slavery, but not to make the freed slaves in any way equal.
In 1862, Lincoln also issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which said that all slaves were to be free starting on January 1, 1863. In reality, this didn't really make a difference, because the southern states did not listen to it, but it led the way for the 13th amendment, which did outlaw slavery. It also showed that Lincoln really did have the intention of abolishing slavery with the Civil War, and that he was serious about it. However, there was nothing in the Emancipation Proclamation that was for the equality of freed African-Americans. This means that the slaves would be freed, but they were be at a low level of class, much like women, with no rights.
In conclusion, the above quote of 1858, can be reconciled with the Emancipation Proclamation. Both show that he believed that slavery should no longer exist, but that he didn't necessarily believe that they should be given equality. These beliefs were important in freeing the slaves, and creating a hope that maybe one day there would be equality.
Period G
December 18, 2006
Slavery/Civil War-Essay Question
"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."
Abraham Lincoln's statement of 1858 can be reconciled with his 1862 Emancipation Proclamation, because both share Lincoln's belief that slavery should be ended to preserve the Union and that slaves should be freed, but not necessarily made equal to whites.
The above quote was made by Abraham Lincoln in 1858 during a series of debates with Senator Stephen Douglas in Illinois. During these debates, Lincoln generally took the more radical, anti-slavery outlook, and Douglas took a more pro-slavery stance. One reoccurring argument that Lincoln made was that he believed that the spread of slavery west should cease, and that it should just be contained to the places where it already existed, because it would eventually just die out. Some took this to mean that he was not only for the abolition of slaves, but also for the equality of African-Americans. In this quote, he addresses this issue by saying that he is no way a supporter of the equality of the races. He even goes on to say that he does not think that it is even possible for this to occur, showing that his intent was only to abolish slavery, but not to make the freed slaves in any way equal.
In 1862, Lincoln also issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which said that all slaves were to be free starting on January 1, 1863. In reality, this didn't really make a difference, because the southern states did not listen to it, but it led the way for the 13th amendment, which did outlaw slavery. It also showed that Lincoln really did have the intention of abolishing slavery with the Civil War, and that he was serious about it. However, there was nothing in the Emancipation Proclamation that was for the equality of freed African-Americans. This means that the slaves would be freed, but they were be at a low level of class, much like women, with no rights.
In conclusion, the above quote of 1858, can be reconciled with the Emancipation Proclamation. Both show that he believed that slavery should no longer exist, but that he didn't necessarily believe that they should be given equality. These beliefs were important in freeing the slaves, and creating a hope that maybe one day there would be equality.