Abraham Lincoln and the Accusations of Racism: A Misunderstood Legacy

Abraham Lincoln and the Accusations of Racism: A Misunderstood Legacy

!What another stupid question! I have already said in my other answer that Abraham Lincoln was not even once a racist. If he was how can he free all the slave in the south or seen as the greatest president of the United States?

Because Lincoln was a white guy from the South in the 19th century. By any modern metric, the set of information he was led to believe as a consequence of his upbringing in the era he was brought up would have firmly put him in the camp of “being a racist.” America was practically a nation of skinheads at this point. However, racism is a sliding scale. It’s a spectrum. He may have been a racist, but he did not believe that the race-based chattel slavery was morally just and he ultimately believed that it should be ended. This is well-documented through his legal career and his time in office.

Lincoln's Role in Ending Slavery

Now let’s talk about the emancipation proclamation. Some will argue that Lincoln did not seek to end slavery because the emancipation proclamation only freed the slaves in the territories that were in rebellion. It’s more accurate to argue that although he wanted to end slavery, he was concerned that ending slavery in the border states while the nation was still at war would lead to more secessions. If the North lost the civil war, no slaves would have been freed at all. So he announced the emancipation proclamation as a sort of promissory note. It was essentially a declaration that the war was officially about the abolition of slavery and that Northern victory would see the emancipation of all enslaved, which is what happened.

Furthermore, it’s kind of tedious to have to defend the emancipation proclamation when Lincoln was one of the major figures behind the 13th amendment, which actually did end slavery throughout the United States.

The Racism of Northerners

It’s not just an accusation; it is true. Everyone always points out the racism of Southerners, but the racism of Northerners is often lied about. I mean it is true that Davis did not have 21st-century enlightened views on race, but neither did Lincoln. However, due to the narrative that needs to be maintained, Lincoln’s racism is never mentioned.

Lincoln’s views on race were influenced by the social and political context of his time. He believed in the potential for equality, but his actions and policies were shaped by the need to maintain the Union. During the Civil War, his primary concern was preserving the nation, and the abolition of slavery became a necessary step to achieve that goal.

The Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 was a critical moment in American history. It declared that all people held as slaves in the Confederate states were to be set free. While it did not immediately free all slaves, it marked a turning point in the war and solidified Lincoln’s commitment to ending slavery. The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, formally abolished slavery throughout the United States, completing the historic journey.

So, while we cannot ignore the presence of ideas and attitudes that could be interpreted as racist, it is essential to recognize that Lincoln’s actions were driven by a desire to preserve the Union and ultimately to end slavery. His legacy is one of complex histories and evolving perspectives, but his contributions to ending slavery are undeniable.