Emancipation

Crittenden Resolution Passed by Congress July of 1861 War is being fought to preserve the Union, not to end slavery.

First Confiscation Act-1862 Any property being used to aid the Rebellion can be seized. Example: slaves growing crops helps the Rebellion

Second Confiscation Act-1862 All rebel property, regardless of its use, can be seized.

Steps Toward Emancipation March 1862-slaves who escape to Union lines will not be returned to owners. April 1862-compensated emancipation $$$$ goes into effect for Washington DC. June 1862-Territories are emancipated without compensation

Horace Greeley Owner and editor of New York Tribune Editorial-”Prayer of 20 Million” urging immediate emancipation.

Lincoln’s Response “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and it is not either to save or destroy slavery.” Free none, free all, or free some and leave others enslaved. This response reflected Lincoln’s official view, not as he stated his personal view of slavery.

Political consideration against Emancipation 1.Did not want to offend the border states a. Missouri, Kentucky, Delaware, Maryland 2. Offend the racist element in the North a. Did not want freed slaves to take their jobs

“I would do it if I were not afraid that half the officers would fling down their arms and three more States would rise. “ Lincoln- summer 1861

What Lincoln needs, in 1862, is a victory in the Eastern Theater of the war to help the North see the connection between ending the war and ending slavery. What victory leads to emancipation? Antietam

Emancipation Proclamation Issued September 22, 1862-five days after Antietam All persons engaged in Rebellion as of January 1, 1863 will have their slaves freed. This justified emancipation for military reasons.