How the emancipation proclamation ended slavery (Coursework Sample)

Name
Instructor
Course
Date
How the emancipation proclamation ended slavery
Introduction
The struggle for the abolition of the slave trade and slavery in the United States had tremendous historical events that shaped the country’s culture and beliefs. The years before and during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln was characterized by a major division in the country. The south strongly supported the use of slaves for agricultural production while the north believed in the economic benefits of free labor. This created major rifts among major states in the country that culminated into the American civil war of 1863. In January 1863, Abraham Lincoln made the emancipation proclamation (Berlin, 45).
This was an executive order that considered other states that still allowed the use of slaves as being in rebellion with the government. This emancipation highlighted the best approach that the government under Lincoln would handle the rebellion. It also advised slaves within these states on how to handle the delicate situation throughout the civil war. The states affected the presidential decree and executive proclamation included the states of Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia (Berlin, 46). The issuance of the emancipation proclamation by Lincoln was instrumental in the abolition of slavery in the United States.
How the emancipation proclamation ended slavery
The emancipation proclamation by President Lincoln set the stage for a major historical event in the United States history. Despite not eliminating the acts of slavery in the country, it set the stage for the liberation of the American minorities. The emancipation proclamation by President Lincoln formed the basis for the elimination of slavery in the United States. Within this year, the United States marked the emancipation proclamation made by the United States government in 1863. Through this proclamation, the struggle for liberation of the minority blacks was started. Through the issuance of this proclamation, Lincoln differed with all the presidents that had served before him.
Despite his predecessors acknowledging the different opinions that existed on the issue of slavery, none acted on it. Through this proclamation, the atrocities committed to the slaves were recognized and the freedom engine ignited (Gershenhorn, 3). With the president recognizing the depth of the problem and issuing a wartime declaration, the process of releasing the slaves was developed, and the country adopted the path of equality. The fire of the enslaved was ignited, and this increased their quest for freedom and recognition.
After the emancipation, a number of black freedom crusaders like Harriet Tubman became visible. A number of slaves in bondage who heard of the proclamation and the executive order by the president revolted against their masters. A number of black slaves streamed into the union army camps to reclaim and make strong assertion on their self-determination made through this proclamation (Guelzo, 121).
A number of historical scholars agree that even though the emancipation proclamation saved no slave, it set the foundation for the freedom of slaves and the liberation of the oppressed. Through this proclamation, Abraham Lincoln sought to demoralize the southern states that strongly defended slavery. By making use of slave as a sign of rebellion to the union, Abraham Lincoln made it impossible for the southern states to resist. Despite the civil war resistance that occurred during this proclamation the defeat of the rebellious states was made possible through this proclamation. A number of white soldiers who were fighting against the union realized that the war was not to liberate them but to protect the wealthy plantation owners. Slaves who were also employed in these plantations downed their tools and joined union army camps (Lincoln, 2).
During the civil war, France and England supported the south against the union army. However, the emancipation proclamation that made slavery illegal complicated their union and led to their withdrawal. The two countries found it inappropriate to support states using slaves. The civil war was now defined and changed from a freedom fight as was initially believed through this proclamation. By making the proclamation, Lincoln made it known globally that the war was now against those supporting the barbaric acts of slavery. Europe found it difficult to support the states and this made it possible for the south to be defeated and war on slavery won (Holzer, 66).
The use of slavery during the 18th century was characterized by brutality and total control by the slaveholders. These slaves were subjected to forced labor and control by their masters. As such, any form of decent or weaknesses were met with full brutal force of the slave master. However, after the emancipation proclamation, majority of the slave owners were highly engaged in the civil war leading to lack of control of the slaves. Lack of physical and brutal control by the slave owners made it possible for the slaves to resist work and join union army camps (Freund, 118).
The slaves were highly demoralized, and this made it impossible for their owners to enforce orders. As part of the proclamation, slaves were only allowed to work in the event that they were compensated. As a result, the slaves began to demand wages in exchange for work and this further eroded the institution of slavery. While giving the executive order, Lincoln declared that the black former slaves should be enlisted into the armed forces of the United States. This gave the ex-slaves the opportunity to join the union army and fight the southern slave owners. As a ...