Lecture Notes: Lincoln's Evolving Thoughts on Slavery and Freedom

Introduction

• Host: Terry Gross, FRESH AIR
• Guest: Eric Foner, Professor of History at Columbia University
• Subject: Abraham Lincoln's changing views on slavery and his journey to the Emancipation Proclamation

Lincoln's Initial Views on Slavery

• Early Views: Lincoln always believed slavery was unjust but struggled with how to address it.
• Peoria Speech (1854):
  • Criticized the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
  • Considered slavery a "monstrous injustice."
  • Highlighted the contradiction between American ideals and the existence of slavery.

Lincoln's Position on Abolition

• Not Initially an Abolitionist:
  • Acknowledged slavery was wrong but uncertain on how to abolish it.
  • Suggested colonization, freeing slaves and sending them to Africa.

Interpretation of the Declaration of Independence

• Lincoln vs. Douglas:
  • Stephen Douglas claimed the Declaration only applied to white people.
  • Lincoln argued it applied to all men, advocating for basic equality in terms of labor and life improvement.
  • Denied political and civil rights for black people initially.

Colonization and Gradual Emancipation

• Colonization:
  • Lincoln supported the idea of freed slaves emigrating to Africa or other regions.
  • Seen as a way to end slavery without addressing a biracial society.
• Gradual Emancipation:
  • Modeled on Northern states' emancipation processes.
  • Included suggestions of compensation to slave owners and colonization.

Shift in Lincoln's Views

• Emancipation Proclamation (1863):
  • Marked a significant shift from gradual to immediate emancipation.
  • No compensation or colonization incentives were included.
  • Allowed black enlistment in the Union Army.

Military and Constitutional Implications

• Military Strategy:
  • Emancipation was a military necessity to weaken the Confederacy.
  • Lincoln's authority to emancipate was as commander-in-chief during the war.
• Constitutional Challenges:
  • The Constitution protected slavery; Lincoln used wartime powers to circumvent this.

Impact of the Emancipation Proclamation

• Scope and Limitations:
  • Did not apply to border states or certain Confederate areas.
  • Affected 3.1 million out of 3.9 million slaves.
  • Made abolition a Union war goal.

Speculations on Reconstruction

• Lincoln's Potential Influence:
  • Lincoln's assassination led to Andrew Johnson's presidency, perceived as ineffective.
  • Speculation that Lincoln might have led a more cohesive Reconstruction effort.

The 14th Amendment and Its Modern Relevance

• Passage and Principles:
  • Established citizenship for former slaves and equal protection under the law.
  • Recently controversial due to debates on birthright citizenship.

Conclusion

• Lincoln's views were not linear but evolved significantly, reflecting broader societal and wartime pressures.
• His journey from colonization support to the Emancipation Proclamation showcases his adaptability and growth.