Abraham Lincoln’s View on Slavery (Essay Sample)

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Abraham Lincoln’s View on Slavery
During the antebellum era, the slave trade was prominent in the social political and economic history of the United States. There was a call to end the social ills which the nation’s dilemma on slavery was exposed. There was mounting pressure on politicians to declare their stand on slavery and race. Abraham Lincoln’s opinion on slavery was mixed and evolved throughout his political career. As much as he openly spoke against slavery, he did not immediately call for the abolition of slavery. Abraham Lincoln opposed slavery; this paper explains Abraham Lincoln’s view on slavery, his fear for the expansion of slavery and the reasons he completely abolished slavery. Also, the article discusses the Korean war and the outcomes.
Lincoln’s mixed view on slavery was evident when he married from a family that owned slaves. Moreover, in 1830 he was the legal representation of a slave owner from Kentucky. Lincoln lost the case in which the slave owner wanted the Illinois court to return his slaves. Furthermore, as a young Illinois legislator, Lincoln agreed with his Whigs party that it was bad politics to emphasize on slavery and the party should put more focus on economic ideas, the party had more support in the slave states (Black). In one of his speeches in 1958, Lincoln stated that despite his silence on slavery, he hated it and the Nebraska bill prompted him to talk about it. The people from the states that do not practice slavery should not interfere with the issues of slavery in the slave states (Black). Lincoln further maintained that the United States Constitution had no provision on the abolishment of the slave trade.
However, after joining the Republican Party in 1950 slavery was a prominent issue to Lincoln. During his Peoria speech, Lincoln stated that slavery was wrong and there was a need to abolish it. The Republican Party opinion on slavery was that it was not possible for slavery to end within a short time but setting a path to the abolition of slavery. Lincoln supported his party’s position, and he was in favor of a gradual process in which the slave owners would voluntarily set free their slaves and the slave states will consent to a plan of ending slavery in their territories. In return, the slave owners will receive compensation by use of public funds for losing their slaves. After that, the slaves were to be resettled in Africa or other countries of consideration. Lincoln was passionate about this call, and his enthusiasm is evident when he unsuccessfully conspired with Delaware during the civil war to agree to the plan (Black).
Lincoln also met with African-American leaders during the later stages of the civil war and encouraged them to accept the idea of colonization because the civil war was as a result of the black presence in the United States. Lincoln insisted that settlement was voluntary to the freed slaves and those who agreed to it. During the civil war, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation that was to end slavery in the United States but also a military policy to avoid the succession of the south (Guelzo 39-42). Emancipation provided a chance for the slaves to have a bet