In the beginning of Lincoln's speeches and writings, he was weary to add emancipation to the Union's war aims and to use black soldiers in the war effort. As the Civil War raged on, his views evolved significantly. They changed so considerably that, by the end of the war, he was boldly calling for permanant emancipation, an anti-slavery amendment, and limited suffrage for African Americans.
Lincoln faced criticism regarding his emancipation proclamation and use of African Americans as soldiers. He stood by these decisions. He used the examples of Maryland and Missouri to explain how much opinion regarding emancipation had changed: "Maryland, and Missouri, neither of which three years ago would tolerate any restraint upon the extension of slavery into new territories, only dispute now as to the best mode of removing it within their own limits" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2541-2542). He argued that he had done nothing more than what the Constitution allowed him to do and reiterated that the proclamation was a war strategy to hurt the Confederacy. He heralded the use of former slaves in the war effort as a huge success. African Americans could "bear arms in the ranks; thus giving the double advantage of taking so much labor from the insurgent cause" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2543-2544). He went on to say that the new recruits had been tested and proven themselves to be good soldiers.
In regards to reconstruction, Lincoln made it clear that the emancipation of African Americans would stand. Having slaves serve as soldiers by promising them their freedom, then taking that away, would "be a cruel and an astounding breach of faith" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2564). Lincoln was willing to look forward and not backward regarding the rebel states. He was willing to grant "a full pardon... to them and each of them, with restoration of all rights of property, except as to slaves" as long as they were willing to take an oath of allegiance to the United States (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2600-2601). Lincoln, unlike some members of Congress, believed the oath should be reasonable as to encourage people to take it. In Lincoln's prescribed oath, the former rebels must "faithfully support, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the union of the States thereunder; and... abide by and faithfully support all acts of Congress [and the President] passed during the existing rebellion with reference to slaves" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2604-2605). Lincoln wanted to require one-tenth of all people in a state to take the oath before a state government could be reestablished and would be protected and supported by the United States. He agreed to be flexible in working with Congress on reconstruction.
Lincoln recommended limited black suffrage for those who had fought in the war and "the very intelligent" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2634). Although this was his recommendation, he did not require it of the new state governments. He also believed an anti-slavery amendment should be passed and "the sooner the better" (Gienapp Kindle Locations 2867-2868). When the amendment was passed he called it a "great moral victory" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2952).
Lincoln believed "If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2641). Before the Civil War, he kept this as his personal belief, but did not push for or have plans to push for emancipation. He did not believe at the start of the war that "domestic slavery would be much affected" (Gienapp Kindle Location 2673) or that colored troops would be used. As the war went on and emancipation was adopted as a war strategy, Lincoln's views regarding the future of slavery morphed into more extreme and long-lasting plans.
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