Emancipation Proclamation

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Before writing and signing the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln’s presidency was consumed with war and defeat and while the Emancipation Proclamation went against Lincoln’s original pledge “I have no purpose directly or indirectly to interfere with the institution of slavery in the states where it exists”(The Lincoln-Douglas Debates); Lincoln believed it was the only way to save the union and to reestablish order in this great nation. The Emancipation Proclamation will go down in history as one of the greatest documents of its time, but the reason behind the signing of Emancipation is tainted.
Not looking for war He wanted a peaceful union and was willing to keep slavery in the south. “We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.” …show more content…
Many states struggled and even months before had wanted to stay in the Union, but the war changed their minds. Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkansas all joined the Confederacy, they could not fight against their fellow southerners. Watching this happen, Lincoln waited for a peaceful reunion; hoping patiently that the Unionists would retake power in the seceding states. Lincoln biggest fear was the loss of Kentucky. With the loss of Kentucky to the Confederacy Lincoln knew they would loss valuable resources and with it the war. Auspiciously, in the end four border states stayed in the union: Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri. Even with the victory of Kentucky, the war was still going to be difficult of the north to …show more content…
In the confederacy, Slaves were used to build forts, haul materiel, tend the horses and perform chores for the armies plus provided support on the home front by growing food. Douglas states “slavery was the stomach of this rebellion”. Lincoln started to realize the importance of the confederacy dependency on slavery. “Union military commander’s and politician’s alike gradually realized that to defeat the Confederacy, the North would have to destroy slavery. “I am a slow walker” Lincoln said, “but I never walk back.”” This was the turning point for Lincoln; his idea changed to saving the Union by saving the

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