In the mid 1800’s, sectional tensions grew rapidly within the United States. In the South, slave labor seemed necessary to the cotton industry, which was the basis of the economy at the time. When the Compromise of 1850 was passed, which caused for an expansion of slavery, it intensified the already distinct power struggle between the North and South. After Lincoln was elected into office in 1860, the South feared he would ban slavery, and seceded, thus causing the Civil War. The debate over who freed the slaves during the Civil War Era continues to divide the United States in two. The argument that the slaves freed themselves has often been challenged by its counterargument: Lincoln freed them. Many would say this is obvious because
…show more content…
In fact, Lincoln does not mention that, “this interest [slavery] was somehow the cause of the war.” until his Second Inaugural Address in 1865 (“Abraham Lincoln: Second Inaugural Address”). Even when Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, it only freed slaves in states that were “in rebellion against the United States”, and many of those slaves had already run away (“Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation”). It is ironic that the last slaves to be freed were slaves in the Border States, which were technically part of the Union. The reasoning for that is apparently if slaves were freed in those states, they would secede from the Union. This is trivial, because the Thirteenth Amendment, which was issued before the end of the Civil War, permanently eradicated slavery in the United …show more content…
It is a common theme in history to take the credit from people of color and call it the work of a white person, in industries like fashion, it still happens today. It is clear that it is a common mistake, but these mistakes cannot be ignored and credit should be given to the right people. “Freedom did not come to the slaves from words on paper, either the words of Congress or those of the President, but from the initiative of the slaves.” (McPherson 194-5). Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation technically did free the slaves that lived in the Confederacy. Saying that the Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment are the only things that freed the slaves, invalidates the hardships that African Americans went through to gain their
In fact, Lincoln does not mention that, “this interest [slavery] was somehow the cause of the war.” until his Second Inaugural Address in 1865 (“Abraham Lincoln: Second Inaugural Address”). Even when Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, it only freed slaves in states that were “in rebellion against the United States”, and many of those slaves had already run away (“Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation”). It is ironic that the last slaves to be freed were slaves in the Border States, which were technically part of the Union. The reasoning for that is apparently if slaves were freed in those states, they would secede from the Union. This is trivial, because the Thirteenth Amendment, which was issued before the end of the Civil War, permanently eradicated slavery in the United …show more content…
It is a common theme in history to take the credit from people of color and call it the work of a white person, in industries like fashion, it still happens today. It is clear that it is a common mistake, but these mistakes cannot be ignored and credit should be given to the right people. “Freedom did not come to the slaves from words on paper, either the words of Congress or those of the President, but from the initiative of the slaves.” (McPherson 194-5). Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation technically did free the slaves that lived in the Confederacy. Saying that the Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment are the only things that freed the slaves, invalidates the hardships that African Americans went through to gain their