Answer:
Giving arms to black soldiers
Explanation:
What Lincoln meant by laying strong hand upon the colored element is giving arms to black soldiers
Black men were only allowed to join the army but could not bear arms, Lincoln subsequently kicked against this opposed by saying they should be able to have arms.
Prior to the Emancipation Proclamation, Blacks could and do serve in the Union Army but not in combat. The Emancipation Proclamation issued in January, 1863 gave blacks the right to also serve in combat just like the other race.
In summary, In the past the black people was allowed to serve the union army but we're not allowed to serve in the combat. In the verge of losing, Lincoln then increased the unions power by arming the black soldiers.
