Crooked Path to Abolition: Abraham Lincoln and the Antislavery Constitution

The path to the abolition of American slavery was long and complex, but President Lincoln's consistent and committed anti-slavery strategies, rooted in his belief in the Constitution of the United States, played a crucial role. Lincoln and his allies used every tool available to undermine the institution, including sponsoring a bill to abolish slavery in Washington,DC, opposing the unconstitutional opening of territories to slavery, and supporting gradual abolition with compensation for slaveholders. The Emancipation Proclamation, a military order, undermined slavery across the South and led to the abolition of slavery by six slave states, ultimately paving the way for the constitutional amendment's ratification in 1865.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 12 February 2021
Publisher: WW Norton & Co

The journey towards the abolition of American slavery was a complex and multifaceted one, often attributed to the equivocations and inconsistencies of anti-slavery leaders, including Abraham Lincoln himself. However, James Oakes' comprehensive history of Lincoln's anti-slavery strategies unveils a remarkable consistency and commitment that spanned several years. At the core of Lincoln's anti-slavery stance was his unwavering belief in the Constitution of the United States. He adopted the view that the Constitution established freedom as the governing principle in the country, while slavery was relegated to the exception. Where federal power held sway, so did freedom. Conversely, where state power predominated, each state had the autonomy to determine the status of slavery, and the federal government could not intervene. Recognizing the need for state action to achieve the ultimate abolition of American slavery, Lincoln and his allies employed various strategies to undermine the institution. They intervened wherever the Constitution granted the federal government direct authority, such as in the western territories, the District of Columbia, and the slave trade. As a congressman in 1849, Lincoln sponsored a bill to abolish slavery in Washington, D.C. He re-entered politics in 1854 to oppose the unconstitutional opening of the territories to slavery through the Kansas/Nebraska Act. He also sought to persuade states to abolish slavery by supporting gradual abolition with compensation for slaveholders and the colonization of free Blacks abroad.

President Lincoln fully capitalized on the anti-slavery opportunities presented by the Civil War. He declared enslaved people who escaped to Union lines to be free. The Emancipation Proclamation, a military order issued by the president, undermined slavery throughout the South. This led to the abolition of slavery in six slave states, which subsequently joined the coalition to affect the remaining states.

In conclusion, the long and winding path to the abolition of American slavery was marked by both challenges and opportunities. While the contributions of anti-slavery leaders like Lincoln were significant, it was ultimately the states that took the decisive action to end this cruel and inhumane institution. Lincoln's unwavering commitment to the Constitution and his strategic use of federal and state powers played a pivotal role in paving the way for the eventual abolition of slavery in the United States.

Weight: 436g
Dimension: 150 x 218 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781324005858