Myths & Truths About Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Juneteenth

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Abraham Lincoln is often heralded as the Great Emancipator, a title that has both elevated his legacy and simplified the complex historical realities of his presidency and the abolition of slavery. The myths surrounding Lincoln's motives, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the significance of Juneteenth have persisted over time, often overshadowing the nuanced truth.

This article aims to unmask these myths, providing a detailed and historically accurate account of these pivotal moments in American history.

Myth: Lincoln fought to free the slaves.

Fact: Lincoln's primary goal was to preserve the Union.

• Lincoln's True Motives: Preserving the Union Abraham Lincoln’s primary objective during the Civil War was preserving the Union. While he personally detested slavery, as evidenced by his earlier speeches and debates, his early wartime declarations made it clear that his paramount goal was to keep the United States intact.

In his famous letter to Horace Greeley in August 1862, Lincoln wrote:

"My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that."

Myth: The Emancipation Proclamation freed all slaves.

Fact: The Emancipation Proclamation declared freedom for slaves in Confederate-held territories.

• The Emancipation Proclamation: A Strategic Move The Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, was a wartime measure intended to weaken the Confederacy. It declared that all persons held as slaves within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free." However, it applied only to Confederate-held territories, not to the border states loyal to the Union or areas already under Union control.
• Lincoln's cabinet advised him to wait for a Union victory before announcing the Proclamation, which came after the Battle of Antietam in September 1862. The Proclamation did not immediately free all slaves but shifted the war's focus to include the moral imperative of abolition, garnering greater support for the Union cause both domestically and internationally.

Myth: Juneteenth (June 19) is the day slavery ended in Texas.

Fact: Juneteenth commemorates the announcement of the end of slavery in Texas.

• Juneteenth: Freedom Announced, Not Granted Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, commemorates the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation, which had been issued over two years prior. The delay was due to the slow advance of Union troops into Texas, one of the most remote Confederate states.
• General Order No. 3, read by Granger, informed the people of Texas that all slaves were free, emphasizing equality of personal rights and property rights between former masters and slaves. While Juneteenth marks an important milestone, it was not the official end of slavery in the United States.

Myth: The 13th Amendment immediately and completely ended all forms of forced labor in the United States.

Fact: The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime of which the party shall have been duly convicted.

• The 13th Amendment: The True Abolition of Slavery - The official abolition of slavery in the United States came with the ratification of the 13th Amendment on December 6, 1865. This amendment legally ended slavery nationwide, declaring:

"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

• While the amendment indeed marked a monumental step in the abolition of slavery, it included a significant exception clause: "except as a punishment for crime." This clause allowed for the continuation of forced labor within the prison system, a practice that some argue has led to the exploitation of incarcerated individuals through prison labor programs.
• Following the amendment's ratification, many Southern states enacted "Black Codes" — laws designed to restrict the freedom of African Americans and ensure their availability as a cheap labor force. These codes, combined with the exception clause of the 13th Amendment, laid the groundwork for the convict leasing system, where incarcerated individuals, many of whom were African American, were leased out to private enterprises for labor.
• The passage of the 13th Amendment was a significant achievement that required persistent political maneuvering and advocacy by Lincoln and his allies. It represented the culmination of efforts to ensure that the abolition of slavery was enshrined in the Constitution, beyond the reach of wartime measures or executive orders. Understanding this nuance is crucial in recognizing that while the 13th Amendment was a landmark achievement in the fight against slavery, it also contained provisions that have had lasting implications on the U.S. criminal justice system and the exploitation of prison labor.

To Summarize

Therefore, the myths surrounding Lincoln, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Juneteenth often obscure the complex and gradual process that led to the abolition of slavery in the United States. While Lincoln played a crucial role, his actions were primarily driven by the goal of preserving the Union. The Emancipation Proclamation was a strategic move rather than a blanket liberation, and Juneteenth marks the announcement of freedom, not its legal inception. The true end of slavery came with the ratification of the 13th Amendment, securing freedom for all enslaved individuals in the nation. Understanding these details is essential to appreciate the intricate tapestry of American history and the struggle for human rights.

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