Abraham Lincoln and Slavery
Many Americans believe that Abraham Lincoln was the
“Great Emancipator,” the sole individual who ended slavery, and the man who epitomizes freedom.  In his brief presidential term, Lincoln dealt with an unstable nation, with the South seceding from the country and in brink of leaving permanently.  The differing ideologies between the
North and South about the economy and slavery quickly lead to civil war. Â It was now the duty of Lincoln to maintain the unity of the nation. Â Therefore, Lincoln is not the
“Great Emancipator” because his primary goals throughout his presidency was always to maintain the unity of the nation and not achieve the emancipation of slaves.
He never had any intention of ending slavery, but was rather looking for his own personal gains, and by appealing to both ideologies; he gained the necessary support to elect his president.
From the beginning of his presidency, at Lincoln’s First
Inaugural Address, it is clear to see he was not the “Great
Emancipator,” but a man trying to maintain the unity of the nation. Lincoln believed that he had “no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists.”  Lincoln continues and says,
“I believe that I have not lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so” (.  Lincoln was a humble politician.  He in no way wanted to endanger the unity of the nation.  But it is important to see that his
First Inaugural Address was given in March of 1861, already after the Southern states had succeded from the nation.
What Lincoln was trying to accomplish was to return the
Southern states to the union.  Lincoln even goes as far as notifying the South that certain Legislatures have been passed to ensure their state rights, and the constitutionalism of slavery, “holding such a provision to now be implied constitutional law,” and that “(he) has no objection to its being made express and irrevocable.”
Many Americans believe him to be one of the greatest presidents to ever serve in office. One thing that distinguished Lincoln from all the other former presidents was his distinct philosophy on slavery: that it is unfair and unjust to enslave another human being.
Abraham Lincolns views on slavery were very important during his presidency. During Abraham Lincolns presidency in the 1860’s the slaves were finally freed after two hundred and forty-six years. This essay will be about, Abraham Lincolns views on slavery, how he ended slavery, and how Abraham Lincolns actions effect the United States. Abraham Lincolns did not support the idea of slavery. Abraham Lincoln believed that it the idea of slavery was not morally correct.
Lincoln was morally opposed to slavery and politically opposed to any expansion of it. At issue was extension into the western territories. On October 16, 1854, in his "Peoria Speech", Lincoln declared his opposition to slavery, which he repeated in his route to presidency.
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