What in his life made president Lincoln want to abolish slavery? I know that he created the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery.
During his early years, Lincoln attended a Baptist church that opposed slavery.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln_and_slavery#Early_years
Thank you so much Ms. Sue!!
President Lincoln's desire to abolish slavery was shaped by a combination of personal beliefs, political reasoning, and the evolving context of the Civil War. To understand the factors that motivated him, we can look at a few key aspects:
1. Upbringing and Values: Lincoln was raised in a humble family and came to believe in the principles of equality and justice. This influenced his moral opposition to slavery, which he considered a violation of those principles.
2. Abolitionist Influence: Throughout his political career, Lincoln encountered various abolitionist ideas and individuals who argued against the morality and legality of slavery. These interactions further solidified his anti-slavery stance.
3. Political Pragmatism: In addition to his personal beliefs, Lincoln recognized that ending slavery was necessary to preserve the Union (the United States) during the Civil War. While initially, his main goal was to maintain the Union, Lincoln gradually understood that the complete abolition of slavery was essential for long-term stability.
4. Military Strategy: As the Civil War progressed, Lincoln saw the potential benefit of emancipating enslaved individuals as a strategic move. By issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared all slaves in Confederate-held territory to be free, Lincoln aimed to weaken the Southern economy and boost the Union's chances of winning the war.
So, the culmination of Lincoln's personal convictions, exposure to abolitionist arguments, political considerations, and strategic objectives during the Civil War led him to take decisive action through the Emancipation Proclamation to end slavery.