Emancipation of Slavery: Definition, Law & Proclamation Summary
Instructor:
Lucia Reyes
The Emancipation Proclamation set
the path toward the eradication of slavery in the United States.
Complete this lesson to learn more about this monumental decision and
its impact on history.
Introduction
Emancipation is defined by Webster's dictionary as
the act of being freed from restraint, control, or the power of another; especially: to free from bondage.
In
the context of the history of the United States, emancipation refers to
the abolishment of slavery. Emancipating slaves wasn't an easy process,
however. The monumental decisions that ended slavery were made during
the most tumultuous and violent period in the history of the United
States- the American Civil War.
The
American Civil War
(1861-1865) is often referred to as 'the bloodiest war in American
history', with the loss of lives totaling over 600,000. Although slavery
was not the sole cause of the Civil War, it did play a major factor.
The economic dependency on the plantation system in the 'South' made
this region distinctly different from the industrial- based 'North'. In
addition, pro-slavery legislators in Congress constantly came into
conflict with their anti-slavery opponents.
Photograph of a Southern Cotton Plantation
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After years of conflict over growing regional
differences, state vs. federal power, and arguments over the balance of
slave vs. free states, the country broke apart. Seven southern states
seceded, following the election of
Abraham Lincoln in 1860, with four more joining shortly after. The
Confederate States of America had formed, still holding tightly to their slaves. However, not every slave state departed. Four states referred to as the
Border States still maintained slavery, but remained within the Union.
Civil War Map, Red=Confederacy, Dark Blue=Union, Light Blue=Border States
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Leading up to the Emancipation Proclamation
Prior
to the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln was opposed to the spread of slavery,
but his intention was not to eradicate it completely. Lincoln stated in
his
1st Inaugural Address,
'I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery where it exists.' Once war erupted, Lincoln's priority became reuniting the country. He wrote in a letter to his secretary of state
'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.'
Abraham Lincoln was torn over the issue of slavery
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As the war raged on, though, Lincoln was increasingly
pressured to take a definitive stand on slavery. When the South ignored
his threat to free their slaves if they didn't surrender, Lincoln waited
for an opportune moment to act. Finally, following the Union victory at
the
Battle of Antietam, Lincoln issued a monumental decree known as the
Emancipation Proclamation.
Emancipation Proclamation
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Meaning of the Emancipation Proclamation
On
January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln issued the
Emancipation Proclamation. The declaration reads:
'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.' In other words,
slaves in the Confederate states were pronounced free by the Emancipation Proclamation .
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