In March 1862, Lincoln wanted Congress to offer federal funds to any states that agreed to gradual emancipation. He believed gradual emancipation would be best for everyone. Congress did pass a resolution that would give states financial support if they would agree to gradual emancipation. The state could use this money at its discretion for any inconveniences caused by emancipation. In a speech to the border state representatives he predicted that if the border states adopted emancipation it would cause the Confederacy to "see, definitely and certainly, that, in no event, will the states you represent ever join their proposed Confederacy, and they can not, much longer maintain the contest" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 1741-1742). He hoped this would bring the war to a quick end. The border states rejected the proposal.
Lincoln knew he was not experienced in war strategy. As his experience grew, his confidence in his strategies also grew. Lincoln was also willing to admit when his strategies were wrong. In a letter on July 13, 1863, to Ulysses S. Grant, Lincoln wrote: "I now wish to make the personal acknowledgment that you were right, and I was wrong" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2295-2296).
Lincoln and Union general, McClellan, often disagreed on war strategy. McClellan sometimes ignored Lincoln’s orders. McClellan was slow moving and defensive in strategy. He also reported that the number of men with him was lower than what he actually had with him and Lincoln called him out on it. Lincoln tried to make him understand how important public opinion was and that the public demanded action. McClellan never learned this lesson until it was too late. On April 9, 1862, in a letter to McClellan, Lincoln wrote: “once more let me tell you, it is indispensable to you that you strike a blow.” (Gienapp Kindle Locations 1695-1696)
McClellan often sent overly pessimistic reports to Lincoln. Lincoln was typically able to remain level-headed in light of these reports. After the Battle of Antietam, Lincoln wanted McClellan to pursue the Confederate army but McClellan moved so slowly that Lee and his army escaped. McClellan was relieved of his position as commander for this reason. For the rest of the war, Lincoln's primary strategy in Virginia was destroying Lee's army.
Lincoln wrote that he would be happy to receive the Confederate states back into the Union with full forgiveness, but he would not give them up. His goal was "to save it the shortest way under the Constitution" (Gienapp Kindle Location 1871). While some wanted Lincoln to focus on a goal of emancipation, he made it clear that his primary goal was bringing the Union back together. In an August 1863 letter to newspaper editor Horace Greenly, Lincoln wrote: "If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 1874-1876). Anything he did in regards to slavery, he did it wit the goal of reunification in mind.
In 1862, Lincoln was interested in African Americans started a colony somewhere else after they were liberated. He believed that when slaves were granted their freedom they would be at a disadvantage to white men and it would be better for them to start over somewhere else. African Americans were not interested in colonization. Gradually, Lincoln gave this idea up.
A significant turning point in the Civil War was the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. After the Union victory at Antietam, Lincoln issued the preliminary proclamation on September 22, 1862. The seceded states were given 100 days to rejoin the Union. Those who did not rejoin, the slaves in those areas still in rebellion would be "forever free" (Gienapp Kindle Location 1899). Lincoln stated that "Without slavery the rebellion could never have existed; without slavery it could not continue" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2018).
Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. He was very confident that he was making the right decision. He stood by his decision in a letter to a Union general: "After the commencement of hostilities I struggled nearly a year and a half to get along without touching the 'institution'; and when finally I conditionally determined to touch it, I gave a hundred days fair notice of my purpose, to all the States and people, within which time they could have turned it wholly aside, by simply again becoming good citizens of the United States" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2110-2112).
During the war, the Union responded aggressively to criticism of the war. Lincoln made the following accusation: "he who dissuades one man from volunteering, or induces one soldier to desert, weakens the Union cause as much as he who kills a union soldier in battle" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2213). On being criticized that his war policies were unconstitutional, Lincoln claimed "these provisions of the constitution have no application to the case we have in hand" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2190-2191). He was happy to explain his reasoning behind war regulations regarding anti-war sentiment plainly. He believed the safety of the Union required that habeas corpus be suspended and that the Constitution allowed for this in cases of rebellion.
Lincoln wrote that he would be happy to receive the Confederate states back into the Union with full forgiveness, but he would not give them up. His goal was "to save it the shortest way under the Constitution" (Gienapp Kindle Location 1871). While some wanted Lincoln to focus on a goal of emancipation, he made it clear that his primary goal was bringing the Union back together. In an August 1863 letter to newspaper editor Horace Greenly, Lincoln wrote: "If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 1874-1876). Anything he did in regards to slavery, he did it wit the goal of reunification in mind.
In 1862, Lincoln was interested in African Americans started a colony somewhere else after they were liberated. He believed that when slaves were granted their freedom they would be at a disadvantage to white men and it would be better for them to start over somewhere else. African Americans were not interested in colonization. Gradually, Lincoln gave this idea up.
A significant turning point in the Civil War was the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. After the Union victory at Antietam, Lincoln issued the preliminary proclamation on September 22, 1862. The seceded states were given 100 days to rejoin the Union. Those who did not rejoin, the slaves in those areas still in rebellion would be "forever free" (Gienapp Kindle Location 1899). Lincoln stated that "Without slavery the rebellion could never have existed; without slavery it could not continue" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2018).
Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. He was very confident that he was making the right decision. He stood by his decision in a letter to a Union general: "After the commencement of hostilities I struggled nearly a year and a half to get along without touching the 'institution'; and when finally I conditionally determined to touch it, I gave a hundred days fair notice of my purpose, to all the States and people, within which time they could have turned it wholly aside, by simply again becoming good citizens of the United States" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2110-2112).
During the war, the Union responded aggressively to criticism of the war. Lincoln made the following accusation: "he who dissuades one man from volunteering, or induces one soldier to desert, weakens the Union cause as much as he who kills a union soldier in battle" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2213). On being criticized that his war policies were unconstitutional, Lincoln claimed "these provisions of the constitution have no application to the case we have in hand" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2190-2191). He was happy to explain his reasoning behind war regulations regarding anti-war sentiment plainly. He believed the safety of the Union required that habeas corpus be suspended and that the Constitution allowed for this in cases of rebellion.
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