The Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation

The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are and henceforward shall be free."  Lincoln disliked slavery, but his main priority was always to preserve the Union.  He did not want to emancipate the slaves until he had all the power he needed and the timing was right.  It was when the Civil War started to intensify in the summer of 1862 that Lincoln decided in favor of the proclamation. The issuing of the Emancipation Proclamation a few months later freed all the slaves in the South.  However, most of them lived far from the Union troops, who were enforcing the proclamation.  As a result, millions of African Americans were still being enslaved.  On the other hand, the African Americans that were free deprived the Confederacy of labor and provided the Union with soldiers.  Being blacks, they were given harder jobs in the Army, and were paid less for their efforts.  Although they were still being treated less than the white men at their jobs, it was all worth it to be free.

The Gettysburg Address

After the Battle of Gettysburg and the construction of the National Cemetery of Gettysburg, a dedication ceremony was held. President Abraham Lincoln was invited to speak on the behalf of the men that gave their lives to create commensuration in the Union.  He spoke of human equality, sacrifices of the Civil War, and the need "for a new birth of freedom."  Although his speech lasted only a little over two minutes, it is still known as one of the most significant speeches in American history.

The Union Army's UIysses S. Grant

UIysses S. Grant commanded the Union Army during the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865.  He also served as the 18th U.S. president from 1869 to 1877.  He was born in Ohio in 1822 and graduated from West Point.  Along with his commandment in the Civil War, he also fought in the Mexican-American War from 1846 to 1848.  His focus after being elected as president was Reconstruction.  He worked on harmonizing the North and South while protecting the rights of newly freed African Americans.  For example, Grant signed legislation, such as the 14th amendment that gave black men the right to vote, that limited activity of white terrorist groups such as the Ku Klux Clan.  However, his commendable efforts as president were tarnished due to scandals within the White House.  His reputation was soon corrupted, although he did not take participation in the crimes.  Ulysses S. Grant left the White House in March of 1877.

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