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"Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal..." Sound familiar? In this short speech delivered on the battlefield at Gettysburg, one of the most important battles in the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln laid out a new vision and purpose for the United States of America. He became a hero. But Abraham Lincoln didn't set out to free the slaves. In fact, at the beginning of the Civil War, he just wanted to preserve the Union. Only with the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address did Lincoln take a strong stand on freeing African Americans.
Bad Turkey Day / Being homeless for these nine months can cause you to have some bad days
To see how Abraham Lincoln's views on slavery changed during the war, let's imagine a conversation between Nicholas and Theodora, a married couple living in Massachusetts during the Civil War. Nicholas and Theodora are both against slavery, but sometimes they disagree about Lincoln. 1860 presidential election: Lincoln is elected President.
Nicholas: Hurray! We finally have a president who thinks slavery is wrong. Even though President Lincoln didn't say much about slavery during his campaign, I know he cares about the slaves. Now maybe all Americans can be free! Theodora: Who are you kidding? Lincoln doesn't really care about the slaves, and he won't free them. March 1862: during the Civil War Theodora: Do you still believe Lincoln's going to do anything about slavery? In the speech he gave at his inauguration, he said he wasn't going to "interfere" with slavery. We're in the middle of this terrible war, and all he can talk about is preserving the Union! Nicholas: Lincoln has to listen to us. There are so many people who want this War to bring justice to the slaves, and we've been flooding Congress with our petitions! January 1, 1863: Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation. Theodora: This proclamation isn't nearly good enough. Lincoln only freed the slaves in the Confederate states! Nicholas: It's true the Emancipation Proclamation is limited in some ways, but it's a big step in the right direction! November 19, 1863: Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address. Nicholas: Now Theodora, you must have loved that speech. Lincoln says that "all men are created equal!" Theodora: I finally agree with you. I think Abe did come around, but only because people like me kept bugging him. And I think things will get harder for Black Americans before they get better. Blacks can't vote, they can't attend school with whites, and they can't serve on juries. The fight goes on. Today, African Americans are no longer slaves, but they still face terrible injustice. It's up to citizens like Nicholas, Theodora, and you to make sure we live up to the principle that everyone is created equal.
Irene
Please email me at:
irene@ustrek.org
Nick - The bloodiest square mile in America Stephanie - I'm nine but I can still fight! |
