The Emancipation Proclamation

Lincoln’s Critics Copperheads were attacking Lincoln for the warCopperheads were attacking Lincoln for the war Abolitionists attacked him for not making this a war to end slaveryAbolitionists attacked him for not making this a war to end slavery As the number of deaths mounted, northern leaders began to question if this was worth saving the union.As the number of deaths mounted, northern leaders began to question if this was worth saving the union.

Lincoln and Slavery As we know Lincoln did not intend to end slavery in the southAs we know Lincoln did not intend to end slavery in the south He did oppose it but…He did oppose it but… Didn’t feel he had the constitutional right to do soDidn’t feel he had the constitutional right to do so His main goal was to maintain and protect the unionHis main goal was to maintain and protect the union

Slavery: Lincoln’s Dilemma “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery, and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union; and what I forbear, I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union.” – Abraham Lincoln, in a letter to Horace Greeley August 22, 1862 · The Civil War began as a war to restore the Union, NOT to end slavery.

Lincoln and Slavery cont. “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not to either save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it, and if I could save the Union by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.”“My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not to either save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it, and if I could save the Union by freeing all the slaves, I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone, I would also do that.” — President Lincoln— President Lincoln

Lincoln and Slavery Lincoln was also very worried about the border statesLincoln was also very worried about the border states If made this war a war to end slavery then he would lose the border states to the ConfederacyIf made this war a war to end slavery then he would lose the border states to the Confederacy Lincoln did also understand how slavery helped the south DURING THE WARLincoln did also understand how slavery helped the south DURING THE WAR

· Therefore, Lincoln decided to free enslaved African Americans in the Confederate states only. · Lincoln was afraid that if he ended slavery, it would anger the four proslavery states in the Union. (DE, MD, KY, and MO) Union Slave States

Ending slavery to Win the War Every slave working in a field or in a factory freed a white Southerner to shoot at Union soldiers.Every slave working in a field or in a factory freed a white Southerner to shoot at Union soldiers. Gradually, Lincoln came to regard ending slavery as one more strategy for winning the war.Gradually, Lincoln came to regard ending slavery as one more strategy for winning the war.

The Emancipation Proclamation Attitudes about the war changed with increased casualtiesAttitudes about the war changed with increased casualties –No longer about just saving the Union, the South needed to be punished for the bloodshed of the war. –Lincoln convinced to use constitutional power to end slavery, denying the South the labor needed to continue the war Emancipation Proclamation issued on January 1, 1863Emancipation Proclamation issued on January 1, 1863 –It freed the slaves in all areas in rebellion against the U.S. –Abolitionists were upset slavery continued in the Union. –Riots broke out with increased competition for jobs in the North. –Supporters felt it would shorten the war. Overseas reactionOverseas reaction –The British felt Lincoln should have freed all of the slaves. –With war now about ending slavery, Britain would side with the Union.

African Americans and the War In the South, African American farm and plantation labor released white males for the war effort. Slaves performed many non-combat jobs in the Confederate army. Escaped slaves for the Union army in various jobs. They formed Unworked ion army regiments in Louisiana, South Carolina, and Kansas, serving in segregated units. Initially used for labor and guard duty, when allowed into battle they fought heroically. The 54 th Massachusetts Infantry was the most famous unit The 54 th Massachusetts Infantry was the most famous unit. 180,000 African Americans served in Union armies, taking part in 200 battles. More than 38,00 died serving the Union.

The Emancipation Lincoln did need a Union victory to issue his Emancipation ProclamationLincoln did need a Union victory to issue his Emancipation Proclamation The victory at Antietam was the victory he neededThe victory at Antietam was the victory he needed In the fall of 1862, as Lee retreated south from Antietam, Lincoln proclaimed that on January 1, 1863, slaves in areas of rebellion against the government would be free.In the fall of 1862, as Lee retreated south from Antietam, Lincoln proclaimed that on January 1, 1863, slaves in areas of rebellion against the government would be free. Then, on New Year's Day, 1863, he issued the final Emancipation ProclamationThen, on New Year's Day, 1863, he issued the final Emancipation Proclamation

“I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in- Chief, of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion … do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are and henceforward shall be free….”“I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in- Chief, of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion … do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are and henceforward shall be free….” --What exactly does this mean???--What exactly does this mean???

- end slavery in all Confederate states Emancipation Proclamation (Emancipate – to set free) · On January 1, 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. “On the 1st day of January, in the year of our Lord 1863, all persons held as slaves within any state or…part of a state (whose) people…shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free.” · Now the Union had two goals: - restore the Union First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln by Francis Bicknell Carpenter

Impact of the Proclamation This actually had little impact on freeing slavesThis actually had little impact on freeing slaves The E.P. did not affect the border statesThe E.P. did not affect the border states Slaves were not free in the border statesSlaves were not free in the border states Lincoln could not afford to lose their loyaltyLincoln could not afford to lose their loyalty Some abolitionists criticized this because it did not go far enough to ending slavery.Some abolitionists criticized this because it did not go far enough to ending slavery.

How would you feel about the Emancipation Proclamation if you were… (1) a slave owner from Texas? (2) a slave owner from Missouri? (3) an abolitionist from Massachusetts? (4) a slave from Georgia? (6) Abraham Lincoln? (5) a slave from Maryland?

How would you feel about the Emancipation Proclamation if you were… “The slaves are free? Not in my state their not. Abraham Lincoln isn’t my President anymore, so I don’t have to listen to the Emancipation Proclamation. I only have to free my slaves if the Confederates lose the war.” (1) a slave owner from Texas? (2) a slave owner from Missouri? (3) an abolitionist from Massachusetts? “I knew it was a good idea for us to stay in the Union! I get to keep my slaves, just like the slave owners in Kentucky, Maryland, and Delaware get to keep theirs.” “Hmmm…the Emancipation Proclamation is a good start, but it doesn’t go far enough. Slavery should be ended in all the states, not only the one’s in rebellion against the Union!”

How would you feel about the Emancipation Proclamation if you were… (5) a slave from Maryland? “Man, this stinks. How come the slaves from most of the other states were freed but I have to remain a slave?” (6) Abraham Lincoln? “I wish that I could free the slaves in all of the states immediately. However, if I free the slaves in the border states, they may switch to the Confederacy, and I can’t allow that to happen. Anyway, nobody is really free until we’re able to defeat those Confederate rebels!” (4) a slave from Georgia? “Sweet, I’m free!! Wait a minute, no I’m not. I have to stay a slave until the Union wins the war!”

European Reaction Perhaps the most significant reaction occurred in Europe.Perhaps the most significant reaction occurred in Europe. The abolition movement was strong in England.The abolition movement was strong in England. The Emancipation Proclamation, coupled with news of Lee's defeat at Antietam, ended any real chance that France and Great Britain would intervene in the war.The Emancipation Proclamation, coupled with news of Lee's defeat at Antietam, ended any real chance that France and Great Britain would intervene in the war.