Question

How did Lincoln's tip his hand about emancipation in response to Horace Greeley editor of the New York Tribune and his editorial criticizing Lincoln's delay in emancipating the slaves? What dictated his actions for or against slavery?

Answer 1

In August 1862, Lincoln had a middle-of-the-road stance on slavery, favoring a gradual transition towards freedom. However, as the war progressed, he saw emancipation as a military necessity and announced the Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862.

Step-by-step explanation:

In August 1862, Abraham Lincoln had a middle-of-the-road stance on slavery. He did not support immediate emancipation but favored a gradual transition towards freedom for enslaved people. Lincoln believed that a slower approach would benefit both black and white populations. He also considered colonization as a way to ease concerns about the relationship between blacks and whites after emancipation.

However, as the war progressed and the Union faced military defeats, Lincoln saw emancipation as a military necessity to undermine the South's ability to fight. He raised the issue with his cabinet and decided to announce the Emancipation Proclamation in September 1862. This proclamation effectively made the abolition of slavery a war aim and allowed for the recruitment of African Americans as soldiers.