Why did the emancipation proclamation only apply to state outside of the union
The Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, by President Abraham Lincoln during the American Civil War, declared that all enslaved people in Confederate-held territory were to be set free. However, the proclamation did not apply to states that were part of the Union, such as the border states of Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, and Missouri, where slavery was still legally recognized.
There were several reasons for this limited application of the Emancipation Proclamation:
1. Legality: Lincoln believed that his authority as President extended only to the areas in rebellion against the Union, as a wartime measure. He did not want to exceed his presidential powers and potentially face legal challenges to the proclamation's validity.
2. Loyalty of Border States: The four border states mentioned earlier had legal slavery but remained part of the Union. Lincoln feared that the declaration would antagonize these states and potentially push them to secede and join the Confederacy. The preservation of the Union was Lincoln's primary goal, so he did not want to take actions that could alienate these states.
3. Military Strategy: Depending on enslaved individuals within Confederate-held territories to flee to Union-controlled areas weakened the enemy's labor force and disrupted their economy. By allowing slavery to continue in the border states, Lincoln hoped to maintain their loyal support and minimize any potential backlash against the proclamation.
4. Public Opinion and Political Considerations: Lincoln recognized the sensitivity and complexity of the issue of slavery, especially given that some Northern states still had legal slavery at the time. He needed to navigate public sentiment carefully and maintain a delicate political balance to avoid alienating a significant portion of the American population who were not yet in favor of complete abolition.
It is essential to note that while the Emancipation Proclamation did not free all enslaved people in the United States, it laid the groundwork for the eventual abolition of slavery with the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1865.