HISTORY ESSAY
Disputes over slavery during Lincoln’s presidency altered perceptions of democracy since he only believed in the power of human reasoning to achieve societal changes. Lincoln thought that slavery was morally wrong but never articulated that blacks should have equal rights as whites. However, disputes arose since slavery was sanctioned by the constitution, which doubled as the highest law in America (Pearce, 1862). As such, US founding fathers have, for long, struggled to develop the best strategic approach towards addressing slavery. The disputes on slavery altered democracy since Lincoln drew a line between basic natural rights such as freedom from servitude and civil privileges (Barbot, 1732). The US democracy was, therefore, jeopardized since Lincoln never articulated for black’s freedom; thus would never be considered as equal to the whites. The president never supported the small minority of northern abolitionists who spearheaded to outlaw slavery.
Besides, disputes resulting from anti-slavery movements impacted America’s democracy based on the increased prejudice against blacks. For instance, democracy was halted since blacks were stolen by the whites once found on the roads and later subjected to slavery (Lincoln, 1862). Also, during Lincoln’s presidency, disputes arose whereby blacks were sold by in times of death and famine. Democracy was highly disregarded since disputes which arose during Lincoln’s presidency never articulated for human rights. As such, wrangles arose because America’s forefathers believed equality applied to blacks and whites alike. Views on emancipation grew due to conflicting positions on social and political equality for blacks who evolved during Lincoln’s presidency. However, in 1865, the president reiterated that who has served the union had the right to vote hence advocating for their rights.
Lincoln reasoned that all individuals held as slaves within the rebellious states should be freed while passing the emancipation proclamation. Regardless of the president’s expansive wording, the emancipation proclamation was limited in a number of ways. President Lincoln reasoned that the emancipation proclamation was justified in crippling the confederacy (Lincoln, 1863). Hence, the proclamation should have been developed in a manner that respected the limits of the authorities. As such, the emancipation proclamation only applied to the southern states during the rebellion hence inducing racial inequalities. Moreover, Lincoln’s reasoning in the emancipation proclamation portrayed the president’s executive war powers. For instance, the southern states used slaves to protect their armies to enable more men to fight. The president thus termed proclamation as the best-fit strategy of engaging in war hence crippling confederacy use of slaves. As a result, slaves’ freedom was only maintained by America’s executive government.
Furthermore, Lincoln reasoned that the passing of the 13th amendment into law would provide a final constitutional solution to the slavery issue. As such, the amendment sought to expand Americans’ civil rights since the emancipation proclamation never ended slavery in the US (Pearce, 1862). Besides, the 13th amendment was passed at the end of civil war to ensure that southern states would not restore back to the union. Consequently, Lincoln took an active role in the passage of the amendment in Congress but never passed through the House of representatives. The president argued that incorporating the amendment in the republican party platform would have augured well in the 1865 general elections. The 13th amendment ensured that slavery and involuntary servitude should no be practiced within the US and any place within their jurisdiction.
Finally, the northerners perceived the emancipation proclamation as an opportunity for freed slaves to invade the north (Fuller, 1863). As such, northerners stipulated slaves take up all their jobs, thus leaving them vulnerable. Besides, violent uprisings would be experienced since slaves could kill their former masters. However, southerners thought the emancipation proclamation would cripple their social structures since slavery was never the sole economic system. The claim is substantiated since 95% of African Americans lived in the southern region (Lincoln, 1862). On the other hand, the 13th amendment was perceived by Northerners as a strategic approach by the government to curb the acquisition of manual labor from slaves. For instance, North Carolina still required forced labor from blacks to revive its economy. However, southerners believed the 13th amendment would create loopholes into the involuntary servitude which had been practiced in America for decades.
References
Barbot, J. (1732). Digital History. Retrieved 6 May 2020, from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=3&psid=467
Lincoln, A. (1863). Digital History. Retrieved 6 May 2020, from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=3&psid=4014
Lincoln, A. (1862). Digital History. Retrieved 6 May 2020, from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=3&psid=433
Pearce, E. (1862). Digital History. Retrieved 6 May 2020, from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=3&psid=403
Fuller, J. (1863). Digital History. Retrieved 6 May 2020, from http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/disp_textbook.cfm?smtID=3&psid=415