What Is Lincoln's Role In The Emancipation Dbq

Although Lincoln personally believed slavery to be an unfair and immoral institution, he claimed that he "was not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of white and black races," because he believed that keeping the Union together was more important than his personal beliefs. However, as the Civil War progressed, Lincoln was forced to re-evaluate his position on slavery and was enabled him to put forth what he had always personally wished for in the Emancipation Proclamation.

Before entering presidency, Lincoln had established in his presidential debates with Douglass that he was not advocating the abolishment of slavery, but merely trying to restrict it to the areas that currently practice the institution. He wished to
The shortage of soldiers meant that every volunteer would be useful. The Militia Act of 1862 allowed free blacks to enlist with the army, and over one million blacks would serve in the Union Army before the end of the Civil War. This demonstrates that pretense of military necessity was not unjustified--the overwhelming numbers of the Union Army in comparison to the Confederate Army was a crucial factor in the defeat of the south. The Emancipation Proclamation was important in bringing former slaves to the Union, encouraging thousands of slaves to run away to freedom. Many would enlist in "the Army of Liberation," which the Union Army would become known as. The Emancipation Proclamation was not met without discontent. Many Union soldiers complained that they were not fighting to free "some niggers," but to save the Union. Despite the criticism, Lincoln stood by his Proclamation. The Proclamation came to represent, not only the emancipation of slaves, but also a cause to fight for. The Civil War became to the north, not only a war for union, but a war of moral and human