In the first year of the war, both sides refused to declare that this was a 'war about slavery' because this was just as likely to divide as to unite their own people. However, the forces of General George McClellan and General Robert E. Lee mass against each other on the Northern border in the late Summer of 1862, both Presidents are under pressure to rethink their policy. Confederate Options Say that slavery will fade away within a few generations, but don't go any further. Ignore the issue of slavery and stress instead that this is a war about independence and 'Southern Life'. If the situation gets desperate, we will consider the idea of Emancipating the slaves. Union Options If we win the next major battle, emancipate ONLY those slaves in rebel states - not those in slave states that remain loyal to the union. If we win the next major battle, emancipate ALL slaves (so it doesn’t look like a desperate attempt to get more support). Only if we lose the next major battle will we consider Emancipation. The issue is just too explosive. Outcomes For President Jefferson Davis, slavery was to important to the Southern cotton plantations to abolish. However, to keep Britain and France out of the war, he said that slavery would fade away in a few generations.
President Lincoln acted more decisively. In 1862 he decided that after the next Union victory (so it would not look like desperation) he would address the issue of Emancipation. The Battle of Antietam (September 16-18, Maryland) gave him the victory he needed. General Robert E. Lee invaded the Northern territories by heading across the Potomac river. However, the larger army of McClellan forced him to retreat back to Virginia.
Following this victory, President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation. However, this only promised freedom to slaves in the rebel states and did not apply to slave states who remained loyal to the union. In other words, the Emancipation Proclamation was less an act of principle, and more a military strategy designed to weaken his opponents (thousands of former slaves fled to join the union armies). William Seward, President Abraham Lincoln's secretary of state, commented, 'We show our symapthy with slavery by emancipating slaves where we cannot reach them and holding them in bondage where we can set them free'! Quiz Questions A state which 'broke away' from the Union to join the Confederacy was said to have...?Seceded*Succeeded*Acceded*Receded*Pacified Victory in which battle led to President Abraham Lincoln issuing the Emancipation Proclamation?*Antietam*Shiloh*Gettysburg*Atlanta