Lincoln's POLICIES that WON the Civil War [APUSH Review]

Abraham Lincoln's Leadership During the Civil War

Shifting the Meaning of the War

• Lincoln initially viewed the Civil War as a constitutional conflict aimed at preserving the Union, stating he would restore it without freeing any enslaved individuals if possible.

• By late 1862, Lincoln shifted his perspective to include emancipation as a key goal of the war due to developments such as contrabands and pressure from Radical Republicans.

The Concept of Contrabands

• In 1861, General Benjamin Butler declared escaped enslaved people seeking asylum in Union camps as "contrabands," allowing them to be retained by Union forces.

• This classification led to thousands of escaped enslaved individuals seeking freedom with Union troops, ultimately resulting in around 400,000 escaping by war's end.

Political Pressure and Legislative Changes

• The Radical Republicans in Congress pushed for emancipation as a strategy to weaken the Confederacy and passed confiscation acts that formally emancipated contrabands in Union-held areas.

• Southern plantation economies suffered due to labor shortages caused by these escapes, demonstrating that emancipation could serve military objectives.

Lincoln's Hesitation and Border States

• Despite recognizing the strategic value of emancipation, Lincoln hesitated due to concerns about alienating border states (Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Delaware) that remained loyal to the Union.

• Public sentiment was also divided on abolition; factions like Copperhead Democrats pressured Lincoln for peace even at the cost of premature cessation of hostilities.

The Emancipation Proclamation

• By 1863, influenced by previous events and victories like Antietam, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring all enslaved people in rebelling states free while exempting border states.

• Although legally limited in effect since it applied only where he had no authority, it reframed the war’s purpose and diminished Confederate hopes for foreign alliances with Britain or France over slavery issues.

Impact on Enslaved Individuals and Military Strategy

• The proclamation encouraged many enslaved individuals to escape and join Union forces; however, racial prejudices meant they often formed separate units rather than serving alongside white soldiers.

• Notable contributions included formerly enslaved individuals like Susie King Taylor who served as nurses and educators within black regiments during this period.

Unifying American Ideals Through Rhetoric

• Lincoln sought to unify America through speeches emphasizing that emancipation fulfilled foundational ideals of liberty and equality articulated in documents like the Declaration of Independence. His Gettysburg Address highlighted this vision amidst national division following significant battles with high casualties.

Hope for Reconstruction

• In his Second Inaugural Address delivered after reelection in 1864, Lincoln acknowledged slavery's role in causing war but ended on a hopeful note advocating for healing: “With malice toward none... let us strive on.” This foreshadowed his intentions for post-war reconstruction efforts despite challenges ahead.