Does Abraham Lincoln deserve the accolade “The Great Emancipator?” Say why/why not
Abraham was born in February of 1809, and he had a tough life as he was growing following the death of his mother. He had to drop out of school to feed his family but later joined a career in law. He then became the United States of America 16th president. Abraham made significant accomplishments to change the society of America. For someone to be described as a Great Emancipator, it means that he liberated or freed people from the bondage of slavery. He released the southern slaves from civil wars.
Abraham Lincoln truly deserves the accolade since, in my opinion, only lesser beings in his position would have been able to sign Emancipation proclamation putting in mind the immense pressure he was undergoing from his rivals and Democrats. He not only deserves the title because of freeing the slaves but also because of other laws which included the Second Confiscation Act and the 13th amendment that he tirelessly fought for without relenting that led to the end of slavery in other places. At first, many argue that proclamation was just a useless paper that did not free any slave. This was only mistaken by the Demarcates and confederates whose only focus was on the reinstatement of the Union. Following Lincolns’ pen stroke on January 1st, 1863, it is estimated that about 20000-50000 slaves were set at liberty, especially those who were living on the areas which by that time were inhabited by the Union Army. About 200000 blacks, after that, joined the armed forces and enjoyed the freedom to fight for their rights.
Immediately after issuing the proclamation, there was constant pressure on him to revoke it, but he still stood firm. Lincoln argued that the declaration was like a promise he made to the slaves, and there was no need to betray them. He consistently advocated that if at any time he cancels the proclamation, and the country’s black soldiers returned to war blasted for eternity. Despite all the battles and casualties, he never put in to consider revoking the proclamation since it would have cost him the seat of presidency and so it was better for him to be right than being famous. However, at no point should the Emancipation proclamation be undermined or downplayed even though it did not immediately free all the slaves at once. Still, it was this proclamation that marked the beginning to the end of slavery in America.
Abraham’s great speech, commonly referred to as the Gettysburg Address, is well known, and the words have been disputed. The speech was delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. It is one of the famous speeches in American history. He described the US as a nation conceived in liberty and declared that all men are equal. In his remarks, he says that they did not die of vain, but the nation shall have a new birth of freedom embraced by democracy.
In conclusion, Abraham Lincoln deserves the accolade of Great Emancipator since he was in the first line of freeing slaves from captivity. In his era, he underwent severe hostility and humiliation from different sides to revoke the Emancipation Proclamation, but all in all, he remained focused and unshakable. He stood firm for the others who were being mistreated during that time. Greatest of all, Abraham Lincoln outwitted his enemies and rivals and managed to bring the United States of America together during a tough moment full of civil wars and violence.