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10 Fascinating Facts About Abraham Lincoln and Slavery

Posted byBy Ricky Riley | Published on: CommentsComments (15)

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  • On Sept. 18, 1858, Lincoln said he didn’t believe Blacks should have the same rights as whites. According to Lincoln, “I will say then that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races.” He believed that Blacks should not vote, serve on juries, hold office or intermarry with whites. He did believe that, like all men, Blacks had the right to improve their condition in society and to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
    • Lincoln thought colonization could resolve the issue of slavery. In August of 1862, Lincoln hosted a delegation of freed Black people at the White House in order to get their support on a plan for colonizing Central America.
    • The Emancipation Proclamation was a military policy that didn’t apply to border slave states like Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri, all of which had remained loyal to the Union. Lincoln also exempted selected areas of the Confederacy that had already come under Union control. It only applied to areas the Union did not control.
    • Social reformer and writer Frederick Douglass strongly backed Lincoln’s election in 1860. He grew to respect Lincoln throughout the Civil War after President Lincoln fulfilled two of Douglass’ objectives: emancipation and Black recruitment in armed regiments.

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