Abraham Lincoln's Fundamental Questions

After America gained their independence in 1776, starting a ruling government was a priority. America thought that the foundation of their new government should relate to important fundamental questions. Although America thought they were completing their mission, their governing system had nothing related to their fundamental questions. As a matter of fact, the Northern victory in the Civil War, helped resolve the fundamental questions. One of the most important fundamental question was whether or not to grant human rights to the slaves.

During the era of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln tried to relate back to the fundamental questions. While he was president, Abraham decided to use his power to correct the government. One of his most impactful
decision was the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation freed slaves in the Southern territories. This presidential proclamation made sure that slaves were not considered property anymore. Even though Americans were treated the same way under Great Britain, they still had more rights than slaves. Therefore, Abraham Lincoln wanted to make sure that their government did not repeat the same mistakes of Great Britain. Even before Abraham Lincoln became president, the Constitution tried to solve the same issue through the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights were the first ten amendments of the Constitution that guaranteed rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and etc. However, only the Bill of Rights were granted to rich white males. By only benefitting the rich white males, the Bill of Rights excluded African Americans and women. This was a problem since the government failed to provide life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness to the people. For that reason, Abraham Lincoln tried to make laws that benefits protection to all the people.

Also, Abraham Lincoln’s amendments that were passed during the Reconstruction Era related to the fundamental questions. The purpose of Amendment 14 was to protect the rights of the freed slaves in the South. Also, to make sure that states cannot deny to any person “equal protection of the laws.” Once the slaves became free from the Emancipation Proclamation, they needed to have the same advantages as the rich white males. Therefore, African Americans also needed to benefit from the Bill of Rights. This changed the first ten amendments of the Constitution since it was only benefiting rich white males. Slavery was not an issue before the Revolution in 1776, because America was ruled over Great Britain. In other words, America did not have the chance to benefit from opportunities and make laws that would benefit their nation. However after gaining their independence, America started to come up with ideas in improving their economy. For example, to make marketable goods in the Southern fields, they would need slaves to work in the plantations. After Abraham Lincoln passed the Emancipation Proclamation and Amendment 14, it affected the South more than the North. Since the economy of the South would dramatically decrease without the help of their slaves. Amendment 14 made sure that states did not disobey the federal law. Since some people did not approve that slaves deserved the same rights as them.

One of the most important fundamental questions was whether or not to grant human rights to the slaves. The Revolution in 1776 and the Constitution of 1789 failed to find a solution to this particular fundamental question. This fundamental question was resolved till the period of the Civil War. After, Abraham Lincoln decided to pass the Emancipation Proclamation and Amendment 14, this pending question was finally answered. This made America’s governmental system have a stronger foundation than before.