Final answer:
Abraham Lincoln was cautious about addressing slavery in the border states, advocating for gradual emancipation with compensation to keep these critical states in the Union. His initial proposals faced opposition in Congress, and the Emancipation Proclamation eventually required southern states to accept abolition as a condition of reunification.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lincoln's Stance on Slavery in Border States
In August 1862, Abraham Lincoln's public position on slavery in the border states was one of caution, due to concerns about their loyalty to the Union. Lincoln's approach was characterized by a preference for gradual emancipation, possibly with compensation, that did not force the border states toward secession. However, he did not endorse compromises such as the Crittenden Compromise that would permit slavery in the territories. The proposal sent to Congress for compensated emancipation was not successful, with most Republican members opposing it. Despite not having a long-term policy for the formerly enslaved, the advent of the Emancipation Proclamation inevitably linked the end of slavery with the reunification of the nation.
Lincoln needed to manage political and military objectives, ensuring that emancipation did not drive Border States like Maryland, Missouri, Kentucky, and Delaware towards the Confederacy. These states' loyalty was critical, as their resources were significant; their secession would have notably strengthened the Confederate cause. By 1864, as the policy for restoration became necessary, Congress sought to have more control over the reunification process, challenging Lincoln's approach to managing the transition from a slave to a free labor system.