Question

1. Why (or why not) do you think the Emancipation Proclamation should be considered one of the most important documents in our nation's history?
2. Would this have been seen as a good thing by abolitionists in the Union who had been pushing for the end of slavery, or would this seem like a slap in the face since no slaves in the Union were freed?

3. If Lincoln's main goal at the beginning of the war is to keep the Union together, and the Emancipation Proclamation furthered the resolve of southerners to fight no matter what, why did Lincoln say that the Emancipation Proclamation was his biggest achievment as president?

Answer 1

1.) It is one of the most important documents in history because this was a pivotal document that not only helped end slavery but also helped the North win the civil war and keep the Union together.  

2.) It still would have been seen as a good thing, since the abolistionist main goal was to end slavery. This would have been seen as a start into ending slavery. 

3.) Like previously stated, the Emancipation Proclamation was a step into not only freeing slaves but also helping the north win. By freeing all slaves in the South, the South had a very low chance of winning. The slaves did almost everything for them and now the way of life for southerners was gone. The southerners were still infuriated making them want to fight. We all know the end result. Therefore, I think he thought it was his biggest achievement as a President because it was such a smart battle plan. 

Hope this helped!