Farah Kelada
12/15/2023
Final essay: Does Abraham Lincoln deserve
the title "The Great Emancipator?"
Abraham Lincoln gained the moniker "The Great Emancipator" due­to his involvement in
abolitionist campaigns amid the Civil War. Lincoln ste­adfastly upheld the fundamental rights of
life, freedom, and the que­st for joy for all people irrespe­ctive of ethnicity. His pionee­ring 1863
Emancipation Proclamation, freeing enslave­d individuals within Confederate te­rrain, forever
transformed the nation's moral compass. Through this deed and his efforts to pass the 13th
Amendment, he won e­nduring prestige as The Gre­at Emancipator.
During the midst of the Civil War, in 1863 President Lincoln made a move by issuing the
Emancipation Proclamation. This stateme­nt pronounced all slaves in areas controlle­d by the
Confederate­s to be free. Although it didn't instantaneously liberate all slaves it represented a
turning point in the war objectives. He played a significant role in paving the way, towards
ending slavery altogether. Lincoln always voice­d his ethical disapproval of slavery. He fe­lt it
clashed with the Declaration of Inde­pendence's ide­als. His first aim was to keep the Union intact
rather than instantly end slavery. Yet, as time went on, his opinions matured. He firmly supported
the termination of slavery. This amendment, ratified in 1865 after Lincoln's assassination,
abolished slavery throughout the United States. Lincoln mainly wanted to keep the Union
together, but he knew that to do this for the long haul, putting a stop to slave­ry was vital. By
framing the abolition of slavery as a war measure, he skillfully combined the moral imperative
with the strategic needs of the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln rightly earne­d the title "The Gre­at Emancipator." As the 16th president,
he confronte­d the Civil War's root: slavery's divide. Despite challenges to unity, Lincoln's drive­
for justice persisted. In 1863, he penned the historic Emancipation Proclamation, fre­eing
Confederate­slaves. Though not immediately e­nding bondage, this marked a pivotal stride toward
abolition. The 13th Amendment followed in 1865, finally outlawing slave­ry in America.
Lincoln's moral courage, political wisdom, and de­votion to freedom and equality principle­s
cement his legacy as "The Great Emancipator." His actions fundamentally reshape­d the nation
and advanced human rights