Final Exam History 110 Essays

FINAL ESSAY 1

There are many possibilities as to what caused the Civil War and what had the biggest impact, but the Emancipation Proclamation seems to outweigh any other answers. The Emancipation Proclamation, which abolished slavery, was due to Lincoln’s gradual decisions as President, argues James McPherson. He believes that “Lincoln threw his weight behind the 13th amendment” and that “the abolition of slavery [was] a destruction of the institution that was basic to the southern social order, the political structure, the culture, [and] the way of life in this region.” This catalyzed the brewing war, and turned it into a war for freedom. Ira Berlin, on the other hand, argues that slaves were mostly responsible for the Emancipation Proclamation and the abolition of slavery. He says “they demonstrated their readiness to take risks for freedom and to put their loyalty, their labor, and their lives in the service of the federal government” and that “their willingness to offer it all pushed Northerners…to make all black people into citizens.” Both of these arguments justify as to what caused the Emancipation Proclamation, and both contribute to its effects on the Civil War and its outcome.

Out in the West, John Fremont, a anti-slavery man, claimed martial law and said that all slaves of rebel masters in the state of Missouri are free. This is met with stiff resistance from the Lincoln administration due to Missouri’s critical state as a border state. Lincoln advises to change toe proclamation.

Congress passes the Second Confiscation Act, proclaiming all slaves under disloyal masters are free from servitude and cannot be re-enslaved. This is a fairly liberal gesture, but also creates some noxious attitudes; it recommends that slaves be re-colonized back to Africa and allows slave refugees to be employed in the army.

All of these events, along with Antietam, allowed Lincoln to issue the Emancipation Proclamation. Effective January 1st, 1863, slaves in rebel...