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Lincoln's Complex and Evolving Views on Race and Slavery

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Portrait Of Abraham Lincoln Looking Serious And Pensive, With A White Shirt And Black Suit Lincoln On Race And Slavery

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is widely regarded as one of America's greatest leaders. He is best known for his role in preserving the Union during the Civil War and for his Emancipation Proclamation, which led to the abolition of slavery in the United States. However, Lincoln's views on race and slavery were complex and evolved over time.

Lincoln on Race and Slavery

by Henry Louis Gates Jr.

4.4 out of 5

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Early Life and Influences

Lincoln was born in 1809 in Kentucky, a slave state. His family was poor, and he had little formal education. However, he was an avid reader and taught himself law. In his early years, Lincoln had limited exposure to slavery, but he was aware of the institution's brutality and injustice.

Early Political Career

Lincoln entered politics in the 1830s, serving in the Illinois legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives. During this time, he expressed opposition to slavery, arguing that it was morally wrong and economically harmful. However, he also believed that the abolition of slavery should be gradual and compensated, and he opposed immediate emancipation.

The Lincoln-Douglas Debates

In 1858, Lincoln ran for the U.S. Senate against Stephen Douglas, a prominent Democrat who supported the expansion of slavery into new territories. The Lincoln-Douglas debates, a series of seven debates held throughout Illinois, focused heavily on the issue of slavery.

Lincoln argued that the spread of slavery was a threat to the nation's future, while Douglas maintained that the people of each territory should decide for themselves whether to allow slavery. Lincoln's eloquent and reasoned arguments against slavery gained him national recognition.

Election of 1860

Lincoln was elected President in 1860, largely on the strength of his opposition to the expansion of slavery. However, his election triggered the secession of seven Southern states, which formed the Confederate States of America. The Confederacy's stated goal was to preserve slavery, and Lincoln was determined to prevent this.

The Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation

The Civil War began in 1861, and Lincoln faced immense pressure to issue an emancipation proclamation. He believed that such a proclamation would be premature and would likely backfire. However, as the war progressed, Lincoln's views on slavery evolved.

In September 1862, Lincoln issued the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, which stated that all slaves in the Confederacy would be free as of January 1, 1863. The final Emancipation Proclamation, issued in January 1863, freed all slaves in the United States.

Lincoln's Personal Views on Race

Lincoln's views on race were complex and shaped by the time and place in which he lived. He believed that all humans were created equal, but he also held some racist views, which were common at the time. He did not support interracial marriage or the granting of equal rights to African Americans.

Legacy

Lincoln's legacy is complex and often debated. Some historians view him as a champion of racial equality, while others criticize his gradualist approach to abolition and his failure to grant full rights to African Americans. However, there is no doubt that Lincoln's role in preserving the Union and abolishing slavery was pivotal in the history of the United States.

Abraham Lincoln's views on race and slavery evolved over time, influenced by his personal experiences, political considerations, and the changing circumstances of the nation. While he held some racist views, he was ultimately committed to the abolition of slavery and the preservation of the Union. Lincoln's legacy as a great American leader is complex and controversial, but his role in shaping the course of American history is undeniable.

Lincoln on Race and Slavery

by Henry Louis Gates Jr.

4.4 out of 5