A New Birth of Freedom: The Civil War, The Coming of Emancipation

Slavery and the War Wars cause revolutions –Slavery central part of Southern society –War will destroy it Lincoln promotes Northern values –Preserving democracy & free labor

Lincoln ignores slavery in 1 st year –Keep border states (2.6M W, 500K slaves) –Northern conservatives Crittenden Resolution 1861 –Union has no intention of interfering with slavery

Slavery Unraveling Ignoring it ends by end of 1861 Military treats slaves as contraband of war –Property of military value, subject to confiscation To Blacks it’s a “freedom war” Antislavery northerners insist emancipation necessary to weaken South’s ability to sustain war

Steps Toward Emancipation Aug. 61 Gen. Fremont frees slaves in MO March 62 congress prohibits army from returning slaves & abolition in DC 2 nd Confiscation Act – freed slaves in Union occupied terr. & escaped to Union lines Lincoln tries to get control –Rescinds Fremont’s order –Gradual emancipation & colonization for border slaves

Lincoln’s Decision Understands emancipation a political & military necessity. Sec. State W. Seward wait until a victory 9/22/62 5 days after Antietam –Preliminary EP –Warned if South didn’t lay down arms by end of 1862 he would decree abolition.

North Reacts Bad Dems gain seats in Fall elections Rep. lose IN & IL govt’s, & lose Gov of NY

The Emancipation Proclamation Jan. 1, 1863 Slaves in Confederate held terr. are free Excluded border states Jubilation –Free blacks & abolitionists (North) –“contrabands” & slaves (South) Altered nature of the CW & US history

Lincoln’s Change No compensation or colonization Enlist black troops “The Great Emancipator” No longer just about preserving the Union Now about the transformation of the Southern way of life and redefining American freedom Freed slaves would become part of America

Enlisting Black Troops Radical provision in the EP 180,000 served in army 24,000 navy Most were emancipated slaves from South

The Black Soldier Service was a liberating experience –130 will serve in office after war Didn’t receive equal treatment are pay Crucial role in winning war and defining war’s consequences

54 th Massachusetts July 18 th 1863 attack Fort Wagner SC Col. Robert Shaw- “Negro troops” Shaw & half of the 600 men killed. Aug. 10 th Frederick Douglass tells Lincoln Negro & white troops should be equal.