Abraham Lincoln & Emancipation

“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….”  Abraham Lincoln, 1858

Investigate Abraham Lincoln’s evolving thoughts on social and political equality for African Americans. How do we reconcile Lincoln’s words from his September 18, 1858, debate with Stephen A. Douglas with the man who signed the Emancipation Proclamation? Together MHS staff, participants will discuss Lincoln’s grounds for opposing slavery and his thoughts on colonization, abolition, and gradual emancipation. Using primary sources from the Society’s collection, participants can debate Lincoln’s rationale for singing the Emancipation Proclamation, as well as public reaction to the edict. We will be joined by Kevin M .Levin, author of Civil War Memory.

This program is open to K-12 educators. Teachers can earn 22.5 PDPs and 1 graduate credit (for an additional fee).

Please email education@masshist.org or call 617-646-0557 for more information or to register.

Image: By the President of the United States: A Proclamation. [Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation]. Washington, D.C.: 1862.