Why does Lincoln sign the Emancipation Proclamation even though he said early on that he wasn't going to abolish slavery in the south? What fears could have kept him from signing it?

Answer 1

President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, even though he had previously stated that he was not focused on abolishing slavery but rather preserving the Union. There are several reasons why he changed his stance and decided to issue the proclamation:

1. Military strategy: As the Civil War progressed, it became clear that depriving the Confederacy of its slave labor would weaken their economy and war effort. The Emancipation Proclamation declared that all slaves in states that were still in rebellion would be set free, which was aimed at destabilizing the Southern economy and war machine.

2. Moral imperative: Lincoln was influenced by the growing abolitionist sentiment in the North, and he believed that slavery was morally wrong. He understood that a war to preserve the Union would have greater moral and public support if it was also a war to end slavery.

3. International support: By making the Civil War a fight against slavery, Lincoln hoped to discourage European powers, particularly Great Britain and France, from intervening in the conflict on the side of the Confederacy. Both countries had already abolished slavery, and public opinion in Europe largely opposed the institution.

4. Political pressure: There was increasing pressure from radical Republicans, who were strong abolitionists, to take a stronger stance against slavery. Issuing the Emancipation Proclamation helped to appease this faction and strengthen Lincoln's political standing.

Fears that may have initially kept Lincoln from signing the Emancipation Proclamation include:

1. Losing support from border states: Lincoln was concerned about alienating the border states that allowed slavery but had not seceded from the Union. He feared that they might join the Confederacy if he pushed too forcefully for the abolition of slavery.

2. Fear of backlash: Lincoln may have been apprehensive about the backlash from Southern sympathizers in the North as well as the possibility of increased racial tensions and violence due to the emancipation of slaves.

3. Military consequences: Lincoln was wary of demoralizing some Northern soldiers who were fighting primarily to save the Union, not to end slavery.

Despite these fears, Lincoln ultimately decided that the benefits of issuing the Emancipation Proclamation outweighed the potential drawbacks, and he moved forward with the decision as a strategic, moral, and political necessity.