American History
What Was One Important Thing That Abraham Lincoln Did

What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?

Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation was a pivotal moment in American history. Here are some key details about this significant action:

  • Emancipation of Enslaved Individuals: On January 1, 1863, during the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, as President of the United States, issued the Emancipation Proclamation. This executive order declared that all enslaved individuals held in Confederate territory were to be "forever free."
  • War Measure and Symbolic Declaration: The Emancipation Proclamation was primarily a war measure aimed at weakening the Confederacy. It sought to disrupt the Southern economy by depriving slaveholders of their labor force. However, its symbolic significance was immense as it declared the Union's commitment to ending slavery.
  • Limited Scope and Immediate Impact: The Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free all enslaved individuals. It applied only to those held in Confederate-controlled areas, which Lincoln had no direct authority over during the war. The proclamation required Union military victories and subsequent liberation to enforce the emancipation.
  • Inspiration for Freedom and Recruitment: The Emancipation Proclamation provided inspiration to enslaved individuals, encouraging many to escape and seek freedom behind Union lines. It also impacted the recruitment of African Americans into the Union Army, as it allowed them to serve in the military and fight for their own emancipation.
  • Path to the Thirteenth Amendment: The Emancipation Proclamation laid the groundwork for the eventual passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment, ratified in 1865, officially abolished slavery throughout the entire nation, not just in Confederate territories.

Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation played a crucial role in transforming the goals and purpose of the American Civil War. It set in motion the path towards the eventual end of slavery in the United States and marked a significant step forward in the struggle for equality and justice.