Premium Essay

The Importance Of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation

Submitted By
Words 1116
Pages 5
Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation is one of the most revered documents in United States history. In its time, the document effectively freed the slaves but also marked the first step in creating an America with racial equality. Therefore, because of its significance in shaping the ideals of the United States, many people assume that future leaders of the nation would view the Emancipation Proclamation in the same way. However, in looking at speeches made by Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, and Barack Obama during some of the most notable time periods in United States history, it becomes evident that presidents did not approach Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in the same way. Instead, circumstances surrounding each particular administration …show more content…
He states “The proclamation became necessary to hold his remaining supporters and to forestall English Recognition of the Confederacy” (Hofstadter 168-169). Despite the Proclamation’s glory that exists today, Hofstadter argued that the political component played an integral role in Lincoln’s decision to pass the Emancipation Proclamation. While today we see Lincoln’s Emancipation as a heroic act of morality, we must not let that cloud our vision of the impact that war measures had on Lincoln’s decision to pass the Emancipation Proclamation. I wholeheartedly support Hofstadter’s argument and believe that the complicated nature of the Emancipation Proclamation lends well to my argument that the future interpretations are also more complicated than they might seem upon first glance. In the same way that the circumstances surrounding Lincoln’s presidency such as battle victories and English recognition of the Confederacy impacted his decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation, the context of future presidencies also affected the way certain president's viewed the …show more content…
While I agree that future presidents all possess a positive attitude towards the Emancipation Proclamation, I argue that the way they view its significance varies. First, it is unrealistic to assume that a uniform opinion exists about anything, especially when it comes to politics. Politicians form their own views based on a number of factors such as upbringing, age, religion, and present condition of the nation. Therefore, as times change for America, perspectives also change. No president has lived the same life as another, thus while there may be similarities in opinions, complete uniformity does not exist. How can Barack Obama be expected to have the same social values as Thomas Jefferson when they lived in completely different Americas? The same principle applies to presidential perspectives on Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. Therefore, in my paper I will examine the periods of the Great Depression, the Civil Rights Era, and the Great Recession and how these different America’s shaped the presidents’ attitudes regarding the Emancipation Proclamation. A number of factors affect one president’s perspective that may not have been applicable to another’s due solely to the era during which they lived. I do not intend to argue that any president disputes the document’s significance.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

King Lear

...and Carolinas – Take Confederate capital at Richmond, Virginia – Engage the enemy everywhere and grind them into submission The War at Sea Know: Blockade, Continuous Voyage, Merrimac, Monitor 16. What was questionable about the blockade practices of the North? Why did Britain honor the blockade anyway? Blockade began with leaks and was strengthened was war went on – At first, North concentrated on major ports (where cotton could be loaded) Would have defied it, but Britain warned shippers they would punish violators • Britain, as major sea power, wanted its future blockades respected also The Pivotal Point: Antietam 17. Why was the battle of Antietam "...probably the most decisive of the Civil War?" Importance of Antietam – Most...

Words: 621 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Abraham Lincoln's Political and Moral Slavery Dilemma

...Jared Varley Dr. Morgan HST 390 24 September 2012 Abraham Lincoln’s Political and Moral Slavery Dilemma The sixteenth President of the United States of America, the Great Emancipator, Abraham Lincoln casts quite a historical shadow over any other competing figure. Lincoln was brought into the world on February 12th, 1809 to an incredibly modest upbringing in which he would mold himself into a successful lawyer and later a politician. Abraham received little formal education during his childhood, eventually acquainting himself with the law through the apprenticeship system. After rising through the Illinois legislature structure, Lincoln went on to serve in the House of Representatives on behalf of the state of Illinois before gaining widespread recognition from his debates with competing Senate candidate Stephen A. Douglas in 1858.The expansion of slavery into the United States new territories was the hotly contested issue of these debates, Lincoln’s stance would eventually propel him into the national spotlight and later the Presidency. Abraham Lincoln’s views on slavery were split between his political obligations and his moral beliefs, his political actions were influenced by his desire to preserve the Union, and his moral stance on the issue largely stemmed from his deep-seeded belief in the power of the Constitution, not the political or social equality of another race. Abraham Lincoln’s view on slavery was segregated in itself, between how he perceived the issue...

Words: 1471 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Leadership of Abraham Lincoln

...The Leadership of Abraham Lincoln Phillip Bullington High Performance Leadership Term Paper 2/12/15 Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Leader 4 Power & Influence 4 Ethics & Values 6 Attributes 6 Behavior 8 Followers 9 Motivation 9 Satisfaction & Performance 9 Groups 10 The Rocket Model 10 Situation 11 Situational Levels 11 Emancipation Proclamation 12 Death 13 Conclusion 13 References 14 Introduction Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States of America. Abraham was born on February 12, 1809 to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks. He grew up in both Kentucky and Indiana as the son of a farmer who preferred him to work on the farm rather than read books. Lincoln had an intellectual ambition however and was in constant pursuit of knowledge through his readings. Abraham set out for Illinois in 1831 and studied to become a lawyer which he eventually did in 1836 after passing the bar examination. He was then elected to the Illinois State Legislature in 1836, 1838, and 1840. After his retirement from legislature in 1841, Lincoln went on to marry Mary Todd Lincoln in 1842. He then began devoting the majority of his time to law practice until 1847 when he was elected and served in Congress (McPherson, 2000). Lincoln would continue to move in and out of politics for the next 14 years as was continually defeated in bids and elections for office. It wasn’t until 1861, after losing...

Words: 3922 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Abraham Lincoln

...freedom and liberty, the great emancipator and the savior of the union; they see Lincoln as a diabolical dictator. A man who took advantage of America in its darkest hour, a man who had no respect for the Constitution, he instead sought to destroy and undermine it every chance he got. Abraham Lincoln was President during America’s darkest hour; he saved the union and kept the country together. Lincoln was justified in the actions he took, despite attempts to paint Lincoln as a tyrannical dictator there is no question that Lincoln’s status as America’s greatest President is deserved and true. During his Presidency Lincoln met fierce opposition. This is not uncommon among Presidents; they are commonly held in higher regard after they leave office than when they are in office. However, the opposition Lincoln met tended to be intense and passionate. His policies stirred a lot of controversy not only the south but in the north. Those who were most vocal against Lincoln’s...

Words: 3657 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Abraham Lincoln

...world. Despite all the praise bestowed upon Abraham Lincoln there are those who do not buy into the ‘official’ Lincoln legacy. A small, but growing group of Lincoln detractors claim that Lincoln was not the father of freedom and liberty, the great emancipator and the savior of the union; they see Lincoln as a diabolical dictator. A man who took advantage of America in its darkest hour, a man who had no respect for the Constitution, he instead sought to destroy and undermine it every chance he got. Abraham Lincoln was President during America’s darkest hour; he saved the union and kept the country together. Lincoln was justified in the actions he took, despite attempts to paint Lincoln as a tyrannical dictator there is no question that Lincoln’s status as America’s greatest President is deserved and true. During his Presidency Lincoln met fierce opposition. This is not uncommon among Presidents; they are commonly held in higher regard after they leave office than when they are in office. However, the opposition Lincoln met tended to be intense and passionate. His policies stirred a lot of controversy not only the south but in the north. Those who were most...

Words: 3790 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

The Importance Of The Emancipation Proclamation

...Emancipation Proclamation “When the American Civil War (1861-65) began, President Abraham Lincoln carefully framed the conflict as concerning the preservation of the Union rather than the abolition of slavery” (“Emancipation Proclamation”). President Abraham Lincoln declared the Emancipation Proclamation and took effect on January 1st, 1863 in order to create a strategic military standpoint (“Emancipation Proclamation”). This document was one of Abraham Lincoln’s most important decisions in office. The Emancipation Proclamation was effective during the Civil War because African Americans could now join the Union military, it boosted Union military morale, and persuaded Britain and France to stay out of the war. Firstly, “The U.S. Army had never accepted black soldiers. The U.S. Navy, on the other hand, was more progressive: There, African-Americans had been serving as shipboard firemen, stewards, coal heavers and even boat pilots since 1861” (“Black Civil War Soldiers”). Abolitionist stated that, African Americans could join the Union military and help win the war along with...

Words: 460 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

I Have A Dream Rhetorical Analysis

...Have A Dream” speech. King references a few historical speeches and documents in his “I Have A Dream” speech. Those speeches include the following: Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution. He emphasizes the historical traditions of freedom essential in America. Those traditions had African Americans thoroughly barred. As a civil rights activist, King compares the Declaration of Independence and the Emancipation Proclamation with their meanings of freedom. The Declaration meant freedom for the 13 original colonies and the Emancipation Proclamation meant freedom for nearly four million black slaves (Washington, 1993). King makes a reference to Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address in the first paragraph of the speech to remind his audience of Lincoln’s “extraordinary guarantees within the Emancipation Proclamation” (Lei, 1999). King also says, “Five score years ago…” instead of saying “one hundred years,” like he does soon after, to reference Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, while standing in front of Lincoln’s memorial, “...in whose symbolic shadow we stand today signed the Emancipation Proclamation” (King, 1963). Lincoln was the most famous leader of the entire “abolish slavery” concept. So, King signified hopes by mentioning the Emancipation Proclamation. In paragraph 15 of the speech, King says, “I have a dream that one day our nation will rise and live out the true meaning of its declaration: ‘We hold...

Words: 1758 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Lincoln's Attitude Towards Slavery and Emancipation

...SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA……….. p.4 3. THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION ……………………………………..p.7 "From a genuine abolition point of view, Mr. Lincoln seemed tardy, cold, dull and indifferent, but measuring him by the sentiment of his country - a sentiment he was bound as a statesman to discuss - he was swift, zealous, radical, and determined." Frederick Douglass, 1876 source? 1. INTRODUCTION He survived the tragedy and depression to become America's Greatest President. He had the courage to destroy slavery, but he took a Civil War and the loss of 600,000 lives; his beliefs cost him his life, but without him the United States of America would not exist today. Abraham Lincoln, America's model hero, was a man whose courage saved the nation from destruction. His early life was poor and brutal; he was born on the 12th of February 1809 in a one room cabin in rural Kentucky, a frontier state of America. His family were farmers, he was the first of his family to read; Abraham Lincoln was different to from his friends. The young Lincoln was a child of induce curiosity, he loved to hear people, gave well crafted, well delivered speeches. He would often go to places where such speeches were being made; he memorized parts of them and he would come back and give those speeches to his playmates. It was in Lincoln's nature to embrace new experiences and when he was nineteen...

Words: 3275 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Emancipation Proclamation

...On January 1, 1862 the final draft of the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. The Emancipation Proclamation did not free all slaves in the United States. The Proclamation only applied to slaves that were in the south and not occupied by federal military forces. The slaves in the South were freed so that they could join the army. The Border States including Missouri, Maryland, Delaware, and Kentucky were not included in the Emancipation Proclamation. The Civil War was not a war to end slavery it was a war to get the South to join the Union once again. “That aim remained the restoration of the Union, but the Emancipation Proclamation meant that it would be a transformed Union, one without slavery” (Crowther, Edward R.”Emancipation Proclamation”.14 Mar.2012) Many believe that even if the Emancipation was not signed that slavery would of come to an end. But the question is was the Emancipation Proclamation needed to win the Civil war? The Emancipation Proclamation freed all slaves in states rebelling against the Union, but the slaves in the Union and Border States were not at all affected by the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation was a war strategy that Lincoln hoped would help him win the war. As Lincoln stated many times, he was not trying to abolish slavery in the beginning of the war but he would do anything to put the country back together with or without slavery. The Emancipations Proclamation did not actually free any slaves but it freed slaves for...

Words: 1439 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Abraham Lincoln: The Great Emancipator

...Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in Hodgenville, Kentucky and was the second child of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. His nickname was Honest Abe and The Great Emancipator and he was six foot and four inches tall. Lincoln’s childhood was rough. His family moved to several places; from Kentucky to Indiana, and then to Illinois in his early twenty’s. His parents, Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln were married on July 12, 1806. Together, they had three children: Sarah, born on February 10, 1807; Abraham, born on February 12, 1809; and another son named Thomas who died in infancy. Abraham’s father Thomas Lincoln was uneducated but was a relatively successful Kentucky farmer. He also worked as a cabinetmaker and carpenter....

Words: 1879 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Abraham Lincoln's Assassination Research Paper

...Booth was pro-confederate and was against the abolition of slavery, which led to his hatred of Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln became unconscious after he was shot and ended up dying the next morning at 7:22 a.m. His assassination was just five days after Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant., thus having the civil war come close to an end. Lincoln’s death created mourning all over the world...

Words: 807 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Stephen Douglas's Contribution To The Civil War

...interest. Actions of President Lincoln such as enacting the Emancipation Proclamation which freed all slaves residing within the Confederacy would only reaffirm their beliefs. Thus, Abraham Lincoln was an immense contribution to the Civil War. Lastly, the Southern Secession would also contribute exponentially to the Civil War. The South was certain the North was out to destroy their way of life by trying to outlaw slavery. Viewing actions by the North regarding slavery as a threat, the South determined that their way of life could only be preserved by seceding. Therefore, the South seceded and the Civil War commenced as President Lincoln aimed to reunite the...

Words: 961 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Civil Wa

...American Civil War    The American Civil War is a very misunderstood war. It is known for the war  that ended slavery. What most people don’t know is the war was not originally fought for  the abolition of slavery. The South, or the Confederate, wanted to exercise their rights as  states and split from the north. Well Abraham Lincoln thought that would be the downfall  of the United States. The Civil War was fought to between the Union and the  Confederacy on the issue of splitting up the United States. The country was divided  between two philosophies, either they thought the country could only survive and prosper  as a whole, or they believed the south had the right to split from the union.  The country was divided between two different philosophies. The North  believed if the South seceded from the North the country would crumble. While the South  believed they had the right as states to separate themselves from the Union. (Malvasi)  Abraham Lincoln was the head of the Unions thinking. He had a great sense of political  knowledge. He realized if the south did secede the Union wouldn’t stand a chance against  attack because half of the country essentially would have been gone. Lincoln originally  had no plans of abolishing slavery all his focus was on keeping the country together in  one strong unit. (Malvasi) The South on the other hand felt they had been mistreated by  the Union and were being taken advantage of. Soon the idea of secession came around  ...

Words: 4176 - Pages: 17

Premium Essay

Abraham Lincoln a True Leader

...Abraham Lincoln Servant Leadership Case Study and Collaborative Research #4 G. Diaz ADM 553 April 16, 2015 Introduction Abraham Lincoln is one of the most known and beloved presidents of our history. He was the 16th president of the United States and is known for achieving such feats as keeping the Union together and the emancipation of slavery. Having many followers as well as resistance during the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln showed fortitude and never gave up on his vision and goals. Hence, after fighting for many years, he was able to give freedom and support to those who were chained by weights of racism and prejudice. Therefore, aside from having a vision and many followers, what made Lincoln such a great leader? What type of leadership style did Abraham Lincoln mostly use and why was it so successful? To begin with, Lincoln seems to fit the bill of what a great leader is supposed to entail. He was very charismatic, intelligent, determined, self-confident, and showed integrity to his followers and goals. All of these traits as described by Northouse (2013) are characteristics that leaders should aim to develop if they want to be effective commandants. Although leadership does not have one exclusive definition, since we all have our own ideas of what it means to be a good leader, Northouse does provide standard definition for the term. Northouse (2013) defines leadership as “a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve...

Words: 1645 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Cathedral Jimmy Cross Character Analysis

...Introduction The task of leadership is not one of superiority or dictating by any means; it is rather a form of the humble servitude of those whom the leader is positioned to guide. A quality leader takes his or her position with the utmost responsibility to provide access for the masses to express their concerns, and hopefully respond in a justifiable manner that allows for the most favorable outcome for the largest portion of the ‘followers’. Raymond Carver’s “Cathedral,” Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried,” President Abraham Lincoln, and President John F. Kennedy all had characteristics of great leadership. The University Code of Integrity is also one of the examples showing the importance of integrity for a fair leader to embrace in his or her duties. It is with the use of these examples that I plan to...

Words: 1239 - Pages: 5