Why did President Lincoln reverse General Fremont's order to free captured slaves?

(1 point)
Responses

General Butler had already declared slaves to be contraband.
General Butler had already declared slaves to be contraband.

He was waiting for a Union victory before freeing enslaved people.
He was waiting for a Union victory before freeing enslaved people.

He feared retaliation from the border states, which supported slavery.
He feared retaliation from the border states, which supported slavery.

He feared that freed African Americans would fight against the Union.

1 answer

President Lincoln reversed General Fremont's order to free captured slaves primarily because he feared retaliation from the border states, which supported slavery. Lincoln was concerned about the political implications of such a move, especially given that maintaining the loyalty of the border states was crucial for the Union's war efforts.