Journal 7: Emancipation Proclamation – Read The Background R

Journal 7 Emancipation Proclamationread Thebackground Resources Bel

Read the background RESOURCES BELOW related to the Emancipation Proclamation (including the document itself) and respond to each of the four quotes about it. Explain why you agree or disagree with each of the assessments of it. · "The act makes clear that the lives of our heroes have not been sacrificed in vain. It makes a victory of our defeats." Ralph Waldo Emerson (1862) · "We show our sympathy with slavery by emancipating slaves where we cannot reach them and holding them in bondage where we can set them free." William Seward (1863) · "[The Emancipation Proclamation was] the central act of my administration [and] the great event of the nineteenth century." Abraham Lincoln (1865) · "I cannot swallow whole the view of Lincoln as the 'Great Emancipator.' Anyone who actually reads the Emancipation Proclamation knows it was more a military necessity than a clarion call for justice." Barack Obama (2005) This assignment should be at least 400 words and contain your reactions or questions about some specific issue within the historical narrative which you find compelling.

Paper For Above instruction

The Emancipation Proclamation represents a pivotal moment in American history, embodying the complex interplay of moral imperatives, military strategy, and political necessity. Analyzing the four quotes related to it reveals varied perspectives and intensifies the debate about its true significance. My reaction hinges on understanding the proclamation not merely as a symbolic gesture but as a nuanced act shaped by the context of the Civil War and the broader struggle for justice.

Ralph Waldo Emerson’s assertion that the act "makes clear that the lives of our heroes have not been sacrificed in vain" and "makes a victory of our defeats" emphasizes the symbolic and morale-boosting power of the proclamation. I agree with Emerson's view because the document marked a definitive stance against slavery, which had long divided the nation. It transformed the Civil War from a fight solely over union to a moral cause. The proclamation recognized the sacrifices made by Union soldiers and citizens, elevating their efforts as meaningful steps toward justice despite ongoing military setbacks. The psychological impact on the Union war effort was significant, fostering increased support for abolition and igniting hope among enslaved populations.

William Seward’s critique that the proclamation "shows our sympathy with slavery by emancipating slaves where we cannot reach them and holding them in bondage where we can set them free" underscores the limitations of Executive action in a deeply divided nation. I largely agree with Seward's skepticism, considering the proclamation's scope was limited to Confederate states, leaving slavery intact in Union border states and areas under Union control. This selective emancipation illustrates how the proclamation was as much a strategic move to weaken the Confederacy as it was a moral statement. The proclamation did not abolish slavery nationwide but aimed to deprive the Confederacy of its labor force and moral legitimacy, raising questions about whether it genuinely advanced abolition or merely manipulated military and political advantages.

Abraham Lincoln’s statement that the proclamation was "the central act of my administration" and "the great event of the nineteenth century" highlights its importance in his presidency and American history. I concur with Lincoln’s assessment, as the proclamation fundamentally changed the character of the Civil War and set the stage for the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery entirely. It shifted the Union war aims toward ending slavery, aligning strategic military actions with a moral purpose that redefined American liberty and equality. However, some historians point out that Lincoln’s primary goal remained preserving the Union, with emancipation serving as a means rather than an end. This nuance complicates the narrative but does not diminish the proclamation's significance as a moral pivot.

Barack Obama’s critique that Lincoln "was more a military necessity than a clarion call for justice" urges us to consider the proclamation's role as a strategic wartime measure. I believe this perspective is valid, as Lincoln issued the proclamation after several Union defeats and as a way to destabilize the Confederacy’s economy and morale. Yet, it also coincided with emerging abolitionist sentiments, making it a complex intertwining of military strategy and moral progress. The proclamation’s significance lies not only in its immediate military impact but also in its long-term influence in reshaping American ideals. It demonstrated how strategic considerations could facilitate moral change, culminating in the eventual abolition of slavery and the redefinition of American democracy.

In conclusion, the Emancipation Proclamation is a multifaceted document whose importance surpasses simple categorization. It was a strategic military act, a moral milestone, and a political innovation. My critical reflection centers on the idea that it both symbolized a moral turning point and served strategic goals. Understanding this duality allows us to appreciate the proclamation’s deep influence on American history, illuminating how moral imperatives and strategic necessities often intertwine in transformative moments. The debates surrounding Lincoln’s motives and the scope of emancipation challenge us to view history critically, recognizing that human progress is often shaped amid competing interests and complex circumstances.

References

• Foner, Eric. The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. W. W. Norton & Company, 2010.
• McPherson, James M. Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution. Oxford University Press, 1992.
• Neely, Mark E. Jr. Lincoln and the Triumph of Nonviolence: The Civil War Era. Harvard University Press, 2011.
• Oakes, James. Freedom National: The Destruction of Slavery in the United States, 1861-1865. W. W. Norton & Company, 2013.
• Boritt, Gabor S., ed. The Lincoln Enigma: The Truth About Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. Smithsonian Books, 2009.
• Hodes, Martha. The River of No Return: The Autobiography of a Black Woman in the Civil War Era. Oxford University Press, 2020.
• Wilentz, Sean. The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln. W. W. Norton & Company, 2005.
• Levin, David M. The Embattled Self: American Literature, Culture, and the Civil War. University of Chicago Press, 2011.
• McCurry, Stephanie. Encountering Lincoln. University of Nebraska Press, 2012.
• Stewart, James Brewer. Fight for America: The Story of the American Civil War. Oxford University Press, 2010.