Emancipation Proclamation

On September 22, 1862, Lincoln made a very bold move that I was in full agreement of but others weren't. He finally announced the Emancipation Proclamation and its purpose was to declare that all enslaved in rebel states would become free on January 1, 1863. Of course this military degree wouldn't apply to the boarder states due to their great loyalty to the Union. I have read in the newspaper that Lincoln had hoped that southern states would surrender due to the proclamation and most of the north was ecstatic.The war may finally end! This could be such an amazing thing even Fredrick Douglas has said, "We shout for joy that we live to record this righteous degree." So many that were once against Lincoln are now praising him but of course our nation can't agree on anything so there are many unhappy about this decision. Zachary has told me that even British abolitionist are excited about this proclamation but there has been criticism from congress and William Lloyd Garrison. Some republicans feel as though the proclamation stated enough while many democrats considered the proclamation to be too bold. Neither sides opinions matter anyways because the proclamation didn't free any slaves; however, I feel as though it did help the war come to a new turning point. The proclamation may have been a cause to the democratic gains seen in the congress elections in fall but I am still happy about the proclamation. It has finally turned this war to be about slavery and this is what it has been about from the start for my family. Now most white southerners are also looking for a way out of the war but Confederate leaders are more ready to fight than ever. My sons have told me of the uproar of African American volunteers to fight in the Union army against slavery and this is very helpful due to the need of more soldiers in the Union army. The Militia Act was then enacted two months after the proclamation and this allowed the military to except black soldiers. This make me so happy because the war has taken racism away from the north and I feel as though we have to fight together to get through this war.

"Primary Documents in American History." Emancipation Proclamation: Primary Documents of American History (Virtual Programs & Services, Library of Congress). N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.