Aboukhadijeh, Feross’ "Abraham Lincoln and the Struggle for Union and Emancipation” is a historically accurate essay revealing truths that encompassed the sixteenth President of the United States during his early political career. Biasedly, several accounts state that Abraham Lincoln campaigned on an agenda to abolish slavery and create equality for all men. Throughout the short essay, Aboukhadijeh scrupulously showcases Lincoln’s cunning wisdom and strategic plays that he executed in order to accomplish his one true goal; “Keeping the United States united” (Aboukhadijeh 3).
Abraham Lincoln established a successful law practice early on in life, he also served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, and held positions in Illinois’ legislature long …show more content…
President Lincoln has often been referred to as the “Great Emancipator”, and revered as a champion of human rights. According to (Gates xxii), Lincoln wrestled with the use of the “n-word” publically until 1862. During a speech in Springfield in July of 1858, Lincoln was quoted saying: “What I would most desire would be the separation of the white and black races. . . .”(Gates 2). History reveals several speeches where Lincoln remains reticent on slavery but does however appear to be racist in many lights. If not motivated from being a human rights activist, why did Lincoln risk an entire nation and countless lives to eradicate slavery in the South?
After winning the Presidency, Abraham Lincoln immediately faced a monumental challenge as Commander-in-chief. The United States was unraveling, threats of civil war loomed throughout the land, and one man was charged with the duty to keep the nation whole. In Aboukhadijeh’s essay he stated that “reuniting the shattered halves of the Union…was the sole purpose of fighting the Civil War- nothing more, nothing less” (Aboukhadijeh’s 1). On April 12, 1861 the Civil War began and Abraham Lincoln was forced to act and implement a plan to defeat the South’s …show more content…
The essay next reveals why he enacts on his party’s agenda to abolish slavery. In an eye opening moment, Lincoln realizes the tremendous advantage that freeing the South’s enslaved workers would provide to the North both politically, and economically. Economically, the slave labor in the South became so pivotal that their entire economy would deteriorate without the massive free labor force. Lincoln’s transition was apparent when he was quoted saying in 1862 that “slavery is the root of the rebellion” (Lincoln 419). Aboukhadijeh encompassed the entire picture and supported his clause throughout his essay. Where several authors only mention that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves, won the civil war, and was tragically assassinated; through Aboukhadijeh’s work the reader gains the whole perspective. Lincoln hoped that by delivering the Emancipation Proclamation, slaves would revolt throughout the South. The revolts would then further disrupt the South’s war efforts in multiple ways. Without slave labor, the cash crops would not be funding the war and able bodied men would be distracted from the war and have to attend to matters back on the plantations. The South’s economy could not sustain without the slave labor (Stoker 120). Another distinct advantage that the Union gained from the Emancipation Proclamation came from Europe. Aboukhadijeh stated
Abraham Lincoln established a successful law practice early on in life, he also served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, and held positions in Illinois’ legislature long …show more content…
President Lincoln has often been referred to as the “Great Emancipator”, and revered as a champion of human rights. According to (Gates xxii), Lincoln wrestled with the use of the “n-word” publically until 1862. During a speech in Springfield in July of 1858, Lincoln was quoted saying: “What I would most desire would be the separation of the white and black races. . . .”(Gates 2). History reveals several speeches where Lincoln remains reticent on slavery but does however appear to be racist in many lights. If not motivated from being a human rights activist, why did Lincoln risk an entire nation and countless lives to eradicate slavery in the South?
After winning the Presidency, Abraham Lincoln immediately faced a monumental challenge as Commander-in-chief. The United States was unraveling, threats of civil war loomed throughout the land, and one man was charged with the duty to keep the nation whole. In Aboukhadijeh’s essay he stated that “reuniting the shattered halves of the Union…was the sole purpose of fighting the Civil War- nothing more, nothing less” (Aboukhadijeh’s 1). On April 12, 1861 the Civil War began and Abraham Lincoln was forced to act and implement a plan to defeat the South’s …show more content…
The essay next reveals why he enacts on his party’s agenda to abolish slavery. In an eye opening moment, Lincoln realizes the tremendous advantage that freeing the South’s enslaved workers would provide to the North both politically, and economically. Economically, the slave labor in the South became so pivotal that their entire economy would deteriorate without the massive free labor force. Lincoln’s transition was apparent when he was quoted saying in 1862 that “slavery is the root of the rebellion” (Lincoln 419). Aboukhadijeh encompassed the entire picture and supported his clause throughout his essay. Where several authors only mention that Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves, won the civil war, and was tragically assassinated; through Aboukhadijeh’s work the reader gains the whole perspective. Lincoln hoped that by delivering the Emancipation Proclamation, slaves would revolt throughout the South. The revolts would then further disrupt the South’s war efforts in multiple ways. Without slave labor, the cash crops would not be funding the war and able bodied men would be distracted from the war and have to attend to matters back on the plantations. The South’s economy could not sustain without the slave labor (Stoker 120). Another distinct advantage that the Union gained from the Emancipation Proclamation came from Europe. Aboukhadijeh stated