Pressure for Emancipation

12/15/17

The Emancipation Proclamation in July of 1862

- Lincoln’s priority was NOT to free slaves; it was to keep the union intact!

- Pressure on him to free the slaves comes from congressional republicans, abolitionists, slaves

- General Benjamin Butler

- General John C. Freemont freed slaved in Missouri

o Angered Lincoln  he was concerned that it would further antagonize the southerners

o Lincoln revoked the order, but did allow Union Generals to provide refuge to slaves

Anti-Slavery Measures of Congress

- August of 1861  Confiscation Act

o Allowed the seizure of all Confederate property (including slaves)

 Violated the fifth amendment, but it was seen as different because we were in

times of war

- Slavery abolished in Washington D.C. and territories

- Prohibited Union officers from returning fugitive slaves

- Allowed the President to enlist African Americans

- In the spring of 1862, Lincoln convinced congress to give financial compensation for freeing

slaves

o All states refused the offer

- 2nd Confiscation Act called for the seizure of property for slave holders that were involved in the

rebellion

- Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, Sept. 22

o All slaves in designated parts of the south are free on January 1, 1863
The Emancipation Proclamation did immediately free slaves

- Not everywhere at once

- First step towards complete freedom

- Union forces: army of liberation

- Lincoln thought it a necessary war measure to preserve the Union

- Final Proclamation, January 1, 1863

o “act of justice”