Was Lincoln's Initial Policy of Declaring That the Civil War

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The Answer is Lincoln's initial policy of declaring that the Civil War was being fought only to save the Union, and not to free the slaves, was a wise one for several reasons. At the time, the issue of slavery was deeply divisive, and many border states were still undecided about their allegiance to the Union. By framing the war as a fight to preserve the Union, Lincoln was able to maintain the support of these states and prevent them from joining the Confederacy. Additionally, by focusing on the preservation of the Union, Lincoln was able to rally a broader base of support from Northerners who may have been hesitant to fight solely for the abolition of slavery.

If Lincoln had announced a war for emancipation from the start, it is likely that the support for the war effort would have been more limited. Many Northerners were not initially in favor of abolishing slavery, and framing the war as a fight for emancipation may have alienated potential supporters. Furthermore, announcing a war for emancipation from the start may have pushed the border states to join the Confederacy, further weakening the Union's position.

However, as the war progressed and the Union gained momentum, Lincoln's stance on emancipation evolved. In 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. This strategic move not only aligned with the moral imperative of ending slavery, but it also served to weaken the Confederacy by depriving them of their labor force.

In conclusion, Lincoln's initial policy of framing the Civil War as a fight to save the Union was a wise decision given the political and social climate of the time. By gradually shifting the focus towards emancipation as the war progressed, Lincoln was able to garner broader support and ultimately achieve the goal of abolishing slavery in the United States.

Was Lincoln's Initial Policy of Declaring That the Civil War

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