Emancipation Proclamation - Essay Example

The Legacy of Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation Peter J Olynick MILH340 American Civil War 1st February Thesis ment The Emancipation Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln may have been drafted and passed rapidly with some loopholes in the hopes of fully abolishing slavery, and while the slaves that were freed and considered to be freemen under the proclamation, they were still not considered to be citizens of the United States. Also, the steps needed for the successful implementation of the proclamation not only took a very long time before being realized, but also took many lives before it happened. Introduction Emancipation proclamation is an order that was delivered by President, Abraham Lincoln on January 1st, 1863, to all the segments of the Executive branches which also included Navy and Army. It was declared during the American Civil war. This order was not passed by the members of the congress, but the president used his presidential authority to issue this order. The basis of this proclamation was the freedom of all the slaves who were confined in the Confederate territory and also the order was given to the Executive branches including all forces to free all the slaves in the ten states who had declared rebellion. This applied to almost 4 million slaves in the United States. Emancipation Proclamation declared, “all persons held as slaves … shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free."1 But the proclamation was only applicable to the States who were already in rebellion. Not the border states of Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri and the areas which were already under the control of the Union. The timings of the issuance of ordered placed a great positive impact in redefining the war purpose and efforts of the Union. Emancipation Proclamation still is an upholder of social equality and justice in U.S. democracy. Description of Emancipation Proclamation Abraham issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. The proclamation states, “That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.”2 Historical significance of Emancipation Proclamation According to the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, the individuals must return the slaves who ran away to their owners. But during war time, Union Generals refused to return the slaves who were in occupied areas.3 They were regarded as contraband of war. Some of the generals also followed suit and declared the slaves to be free who came under their jurisdiction. But there was controversy in this decision because under an international law the Confederacy was recognized as a separate nation. Lincoln steadfastly denied this conception. Lincoln sent his annual message to the Congress in December, 1861, referred to as State of the Union Address. This address specially appreciated the system of free labor; through it legislation was endorsed which dealt with the contraband slaves status and the slaves who were there in the loyal states.4 A total war was declared against the rebellion of the slaves was declared by the Republican House leader, Thaddues Stevens in January 1862. He strongly opposed the slave emancipation through argumentation that if the slaves would get free it would devastate the economy of rebel. In March, 1862, Law Enacting an Additional Article of War was passed in the Congress. It forbade the Union Army officers to return the contraband slaves to their masters.5 It was declared in April, 1862, that the slave owners who freed their slaves would be compensated by the government. Acting on this declaration, in District of Columbia slaves were freed and compensation was provided to their masters. In June, 1862, Congress took a step towards prohibiting slavery in territories of United States. The legislation was promptly signed by President Lincoln. Another act, Second Confiscation Act was passed by Congress which was signed by Lincoln. This act aimed at providing freedom to the slaves who were held by the rebellions.6 Despite these steps to abolish slavery, Lincoln felt that Congress did not possess enough powers to provide freedom to the slaves in the territory of Unites States. Lincoln found it impossible without taking any proper military measures, as a Commander in Chief.7 Though there was a heated debate going on over the issue of slavery, followed by mass rallies of the public, emancipation involved political risks. The entry of the antislavery issue in the Civil war due to the issue of proclamation gave rise to the political rivalries along with causing polarization in the country. This entire situation eventually prolonged the Civil war. Factors that led towards Emancipation Proclamation Abraham Lincoln was against the institution of slavery. He considered it morally wrong. The situation of Civil war and rebellion in Southern regions provided him with a necessary opportunity to issue Emancipation Proclamation. Southern army intensively used slaves in Civil war. Though slaves did not fought as a part of the Southern Army, they were used to do menial labor for the army. To counter this issue, Lincoln decided to issue Emancipation Proclamation in the rebellious States. With the proceedings in the war, the Northern Republicans were convinced that the war should change its focus from the aim of preservation of Union towards the freedom of slaves. So they build up constant pressure on the government to take appropriate measures to put an immediate end to slavery in the Southern regions. The freed slaves could have worked for the Union Army as laborers or soldiers to win the war against Confederates. Lincoln also thought that after the freedom of slaves their colony could be made in Africa or in Central America. He was of the view that settling slaves somewhere around outside America would be of benefit to both the races.8 Steps towards issuing Emancipation Proclamation The proclamation was first discussed with the Congress in July 1862, by President Lincoln. The preliminary proclamation was issued on September 22, 1862. The Final draft of Proclamation was issued on 1st January, 1863. He issued the Proclamation not as a President but took his position as Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, stating it as a necessary measure for war. It was issued in two parts. The first part issued in September,1862 while the second part was officially announced in January,1863. Abraham declared that freedom should be given to all the slaves residing within Confederacy who had not returned to federal control by January,1863. The States that were affected were named individually in the second part of proclamation. The Union Slave States of Maryland, Delaware, Missouri and Kentucky were not included in it. The exemption was also placed on other specific areas that were under the control of Union. There were also some Union control areas of Confederate in which the local commanders put the proclamation into prompt action.9 Initial effects of Proclamation The proclamation, initially had effect on small percentage of slaves in the areas behind the Union lines which were not exempted. But majority of the slaves were still in Confederate occupied areas in Union occupied areas which were exempted. Lincoln only got limited legal autonomy to free the slaves in the South which were under rebellion. But as the Union Armies paced forward towards the confederate areas, it also took its effect in those areas. According to proclamation, slaves were also allowed to join the military of United States. The additional manpower provided by the freed slaves helped to gain control and win war in North. It has been estimated that almost 20,000 slaves were immediately freed in areas of Union-occupied North Carolina and around Sea Islands of North Carolina, after the declarence of Emancipation proclamation.10 The owners of the slaves enacted upon Emancipation without violence and aggression. It produced a positive shift in the goal of the war in North, which was not just to unite the nation now but to put an ultimate end to the centuries old slavery in United States. Problems that arose from Emancipation Proclamation a. Prolonging of Civil war between North and South: one of the major issues which resulted from the declaration and issuance of Emancipation Proclamation was that it prolonged the war between the Northern region and the Southern regions of United States. The Whites in the Southern region were infuriated over Lincoln’s Proclamation. They argued there position that including the freed slaves in armies would bring about terrible massacre and atrocities by them on their owners. There has always been contest between the Northern businessmen and the Southern Planters of United States which ultimately erupted in a form of Civil War. The difference between two regions caused conflicts on issues of taxes, tariffs, state rights versus federal rights. Both the regions also differ on the issue of slavery. The people had different viewpoints regarding slavery. North was against it in majority while South wants to stick to the centuries old tradition of slavery which resulted in prolonging the civil war.11 The Confederate army did a large scale Massacre of black troops who were captured from Union sides. They did not accepted Black freed slaves as soldiers which lead towards the prisoners of war exchange, breakdown with extremely tragic consequences. b. Some loopholes in Emancipation Proclamation: there were certain loopholes in the application of Emancipation proclamation. Initially it applied to the certain regions of North. It freed only small percentage of slaves in the areas behind Union which were not exempted. But most of the slaves were in the areas of Confederate or the areas which union-occupies exempted areas. This gave rise to ambiguity among the people and the slaves about its implications. It only provided some legal basis to Lincoln to free the slaves in Southern region of United States. c. Views of citizens regarding Proclamation: the citizens of United States were confused over the issue of slavery. Some were in favor and some were against the proclamation. The majority of people in North were in its favor because a steady flow of immigrants, provided North with enough of laborer who could be hired even at low wages. This diminished their need for the slaves. On the other hand, slavery was interwoven in the economy of South. It was considered a prestige to own a slave and people gave respect and higher social status to the master of slave. Slaves were also traded. Implication of the implemented proclamation Though Emancipation Proclamation did not immediately free the slaves. But as the Civil War proceeded, many slaves were given freedom. Many of the slaves abandoned their masters and ran away to join the forces of Union.12 It’s not known how many slaves were exactly freed following the declaration proclamation but according to one of the estimates almost 10,000 were freed in the areas of Union –Occupied North Carolina and the same number in the Sea-Islands of South.13 The proclamation provided a legal framework to the Union Army to free almost four million slaves. Union Army committed towards ending slavery in United States, moved forward towards the Confederate occupied areas of South. With it’s advancement, more and more slaves escaped from their masters towards Union Army. Each day thousands of slaves were emancipated with Union army advancement. This continued until all the slaves were freed by July 1865. Though proclamation resulted in emancipation of all almost all slaves, slavery was not declared as illegal by then. Slavery was legal until in December 1865, Thirteenth Amendment was passed and put into effect. There was a mixed reaction towards the slaves who got freedom. Some favored the deed while others protested. Emancipation Proclamation caused a serious effect on the minds of the Southerners. They were forced to think whether they were fighting to protect the rights of the State from the hands of Federal Government or fighting for their right to keep the slaves with them. Slaves participated actively in the war time. By the end of the war, African-American formed almost 10 % of the army and almost 38,000 Negro slaves gave their lives during the course of the war after announcement of Emancipation proclamation. The proclamation acted as a signal to the whole world that with the defeat of the Southern States, all the enslaved people would be able to get themselves free from the slavery and would allow them to live life as free citizens. Slaves provided their valuable services to the Union Army, even giving them information and guiding them towards the secret locations of Confederate Army.14 Despite, all this slaves were not given equal human rights. Racism still existed among citizens of North and South. Some of the slaves chose to stay at their places while many others left which resulted in deserted fields in South.15 Conclusion The Emancipation Proclamation acted as a climax of transition from the war to the preservation of Union. It provided a path towards a complete freedom of slaves in United States of America. 13th Amendment was passed after the civil war ended in 1865, which officially put an end to the slavery in the United States and the areas which came under its jurisdiction. To preserve and give the rights of citizenship to slaves 14th Amendment was passed which gave a right of citizenship to all the people who were born and bred in United States. It also forbade the states to deny the right of life, liberty or property without any lawful proceedings. After 14th Amendment, 15th Amendment was made in the constitution to the give the right of voting to the colored population of United States prohibiting any discrimination in the voting right on the basis of race. The whole process of implementation of Emancipation Proclamation was slow paced. It took lives of countless number of slaves during the Civil war between North and South regions of United States. Though North favored the proclamation because of their interest in gaining control over the Confederate army and Sothern region, but majority favored Proclamation. the proclamation showed positive results in the long run. Its implementation ultimately resulted in freedom of almost all the slaves from the chains of slavery. It not only provided freedom to the slaves but also prohibited atrocities on slaves, provided protection to the war prisoners, and condemned assassination. It made a clear distinction between civilians and soldiers without any distinction of color or race, disclaiming cruel treatment, revengeful attacks and senseless sufferings of slaves. Majority of American population loathed racial integrity, with the issuance of Emancipation Proclamation and the later Amendments in the constitutions placed a seal to the racial discrimination in United States. Emancipation proclamation played a key role in putting an end to the centuries old traditions of slavery and cruelty. But it failed to put an end to the racial discrimination which still exists in the hearts of the people against colored population of United States. Though constitution aligns African-Americans equally to White Americans, they are still not ready to accept and give them equal rights of citizenship. The old aristocratic class which used to enjoy luxurious life at the cost of the labor and toil of the slaves has transformed itself in the modern age. The new breeds of lords have taken the place of old masters. The upper class and the privileged class of the society are still enjoying at the cost of working class majority of which includes African-Americans. They are still denied positions of respect and prestige and often face racial discrimination in the society and their workplaces. The Emancipation proclamation paved the way to ultimately end slavery in United States but there were certain loopholes in proclamation which resulted in prolonging the war and took lives of countless slaves in this course. Hence, the analysis of the whole scenario of Civil war, issuance of Emancipation proclamation and its implementation approve the thesis statement. Bibliography Abraham Lincoln, "Emancipation Proclamation; January 1, 1863." The Avalon Project: Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy. 2008. Adam Goodheart, "How Slavery Really Ended in America," The New York Times, April,2011. David Donald, “ Lincoln” ,Simon and Schuster, 1996. Eric Foner, "Rights and the constitution in black life during the civil war and reconstruction." The Journal of American History 74, no. 3 (1987): 863. Gaynor Borade, “Purpose and Effects of the Emancipation Proclamation”, buzzle.com, last modified December 27,2012 , http://www.buzzle.com/articles/purpose-and-effects-of-the-emancipation-proclamation.html Harold Holzer, Edna Greene Medford, and Frank J. Williams, “ The Emancipation Proclamation: Three Views”, Louisiana State University Press, 2006, 10. James McPherson, “ Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era”, New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 1988. Keith Poulter, "Slaves Immediately Freed by the Emancipation Proclamation",North & South vol. 5 no. 1,December 2001, p. 48 Richard Duncan, “Beleaguered Winchester: A Virginia Community at War”, Baton Rouge, LA: LSU Press, 2007, pp. 139–40 Richard Striner, “Father Abraham: Lincolns Relentless Struggle to End Slavery,” Oxford University Press,2006. pp. 147–148.  "The Second Confiscation Act, July 17, 1862, "History.umd.edu, accessed January 31st,2013. “U.S., Statutes at Large, Treaties, and Proclamations of the United States of America,12,” Boston, 1863. p. 354.. Read More