Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation
In Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation, historian Lucy Worsley takes a look at the document drafted by Lincoln in 1863 that promised freedom from enslavement. However, it was only promised in rebel Southern states. Evidence suggests that Lincoln's main aim was to save the Union, not to end slavery. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
Lesson Express
Q: What was the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation?
A: The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln was significant because it declared all enslaved people in Confederate states to be free. The proclamation didn’t immediately free all enslaved people but was a powerful step towards change.
Q: How did people react to the proclamation at the time?
A: Reactions to the Emancipation Proclamation were mixed. In the North, many abolitionists and freedom supporters celebrated it as a victory, viewing it as a major step toward ending slavery. In the South, the reaction was hostile, as the proclamation was seen as an attack on their economy and way of life, leading to even more resistance. Some African Americans saw the proclamation as a symbol of hope for freedom, while others in the North were concerned about the impact it would have on the war and society.
Q: Do you think Lincoln used the Emancipation Proclamation as a tactical move?
A: Student responses will vary. It can be argued that Lincoln used the Emancipation Proclamation as a tactical move for the Union’s best interests. By issuing the proclamation, Lincoln aimed to weaken the Confederacy, as it deprived the South of its enslaved workforce and discouraged European nations from supporting the Confederacy since many of them had abolished slavery.
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In The History of the Lincoln Memorial, historian Lucy Worsley investigates how the Northern Union Forces defeated the Southern Confederates in the Civil War. She visits the Lincoln Memorial and learns that the 36 columns represent the 36 states that were in the Union after the war. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.
In How the American Civil War Really Started, historian Lucy Worsley investigates what America was like before the Civil War. It began as a clash between the 19 Northern states, which had abolished slavery, and 11 Southern states, where the economy was built on slave labor. New states were emerging in the West and both Northern and Southern states feared for their own economies. This video is excerpted from BBC's American History's Biggest Fibs with Lucy Worsley, in which Worsley reveals the myths and manipulations behind American history.