Main Idea: In 1863, President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which helped to change the war’s course. This was an important step in ending slavery in the United States.

Vocabulary Emancipate- free Emancipation Proclamation- ordered by Abraham Lincoln on Sept. 22, 1862 which freed all slaves in the confederate Territory; it went into effect on Jan th Massachusetts Regiment- African American group organized in the North that insisted on fighting without pay

One American Story During the Civil War abolitionists still fought against slavery Frederick Douglass fought strongly against slavery Urged President Lincoln to emancipate enslaved Africans Pointed out that the Confederate war effort depended on slave labor End slavery became important goal in the Civil War

Calls For Emancipation Many urged President Lincoln to abolish slavery Lincoln hesitated- Didn’t believe he had the power to get rid of slavery where it already was Didn’t want to anger the 4 states still in Union Knew most Northern Democrats and Republicans opposed Emancipation disliked slavery but did not want to divide the Union by getting rid of it made decision on emancipation because the war was taking a terrible toll and if freeing the slaves helped weaken the south he would do it zkMZa7R4t9s=&h=254&w=200&sz=48&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=BeX2vkFSf3TMfM:&tbnh=111&tbnw=87&ei=MWdZTdH3D8aRgQeJkJ2sDA&prev=/ images%3Fq%3DAbraham%2BLincoln %26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3G%26rlz%3D1R2ADBS_enUS341%26biw%3D1020%26 bih%3D539%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=130&vpy=95&dur=609&hovh=20 3&hovw=160&tx=96&ty=137&oei=MWdZTdH3D8aRgQeJkJ2sDA&page=1&ndsp=23&ved=1t: 429,r:0,s:0

The Emancipation Proclamation Freed very few slaves because most lived in distant areas from the Union troops that could enforce it Declared what the south was doing was unconstitutional Only freed slaves within south because constitution allowed it because could be seen as military action; not case for slaves in Union North made Civil War into a war of liberation not a war to preserve the Union

Response to the Proclamation Abolitionists were thrilled Some people were upset Lincoln didn’t free all enslaved person, including the border states Northern Democrats- thought proclamation would only make the war longer by continuing to anger the south Union soldiers welcomed Emancipation white southern reacted with rage because slaves began to runaway into Union lines Slaves would deprive southern confederacy of labor but provide Union with soldiers

African American Soldiers Emancipation freed slaves and gave African American men a chance to fight in the army Frederick Douglass argued recruitment of African American soldiers since beginning of war By the end of the war there were around 180,000 black soldiers in the army African Americans were usually given worst tasks and were paid less than whites Still fought with courage and pride and often didn’t accept pay because they didn’t want to accept lower wage

The 54 th Massachusetts 54 th Massachusetts Regiment- organized in the North; group insisted on fighting without pay; one of the first Black regiment in the North Frederick Douglass’ sons made the regiment the most famous of the Civil War July led a heroic attack on Fort Wagner in South Carolina Soldiers bravery made them famous and increased African American enrollment Fought with high risk of being out back in slavery War demanded sacrifice for everyone

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