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Discuss the Relationship Between Lincoln's Goals of Preserving the Union and Freeing the Slaves.

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Discuss the Relationship Between Lincoln's Goals of Preserving the Union and Freeing the Slaves.
DBQ Civil War Essay

In the time period of 1862 to 1865, when Lincoln takes office in March 4th to his assassination, the United States was dealing with the issues of preserving the Union. In determining whether Lincoln’s goals to preserve the Union by freeing the slaves, one must assess the knowledge of their relationship. Politically, President Lincoln tried to convince the political groups that abolishing slavery would help preserve the Union; intellectually, he gave the idea of ending slavery to the citizens through speeches; and socially, after Lincoln freed the slaves, they were pursued to join the war for the Union’s cause. In order for Lincoln to save the Union, he would find it inevitable to end the slavery issue. Politically, Lincoln used his political skills to gain support for his beliefs with the issue of slavery. Lincoln had to deal with the issue of slavery anyways, so he took the political approach by pursuing political and religious groups. In Document A, Lincoln was convincing Congress to resolve the slavery problem within the Union. In March 1862, Lincoln told Congress that “The Federal government would find its highest interest in such a measure as one of the most efficient means of self preservation.” Lincoln plants the idea of an Emancipation Proclamation be put into effect so Congress can resolve the issue of freeing the slaves. The “most efficient” way, quoted from Document A, would be the best way to preserve the Union. Lincoln then begins to sell the idea of the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863 in Document B. Lincoln knows that they will have to free the slaves; it seems that he has to deal with it. However, he believes that they have to be smart about setting them free, for Lincoln states in Document B that “...I am not so sure we could do much with the blacks…” Lincoln feels if they armed the slaves, the weapons would soon be in the hands of the rebels, which he wants to prevent from happening. Lincoln does not

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