Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president who is known for abolishing slavery. The emancipation proclamation freed slaves in Southern seceded states in 1863 but this was just the start. Blacks were slowly acquiring rights as time progressed but the fight for equality was far from over. Lincoln is made out to be a great supporter of the abolition of slavery but not everyone knows that he was not an abolitionist. Abraham Lincoln believed that slavery was morally wrong yet he did not believe that blacks should have the same rights as whites. I think Lincoln contradicted himself in saying he is was advocate of blacks having the right to improve their social status but they would never be equal to whites. I feel that Lincoln himself was conflicted on how to voice his opinion in order to not upset abolitionists140. Would you say that Lincoln became an abolitionist to be able to gain support of the North? Lincoln was once called a supporter of "negro equality" during a debate and he felt the need to quickly clarify his beliefs and he stated that in a certain way blacks are equal to white men and that slavery was inherently unjust199. During his presidency Lincoln's views on blacks social and political positions evolved but was this evolution something he concluded on his own or was it a way for him to become popular in the eyes of the abolitionists? I believe Lincoln's thoughts were influence by the people of the United States and he just wanted what he thought was best for our nation even if he did not believe so himself. Abraham Lincoln is made out to be a great supporter of equality and although it was not always true at first he needed some convincing but closer to the end of his life he came to realize the importance of equality for all people. The fact that Lincoln was not always a true supporter of equality of blacks may shock many as it did me but it seems like he came a long way and that is a good thing although it does not seem that way at first.
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By: Ashley Sandoval