Was Lincoln the Great Emancipator?

Professor Paul Finkelman (Duke Law School and Albany Law School) will present "Was Lincoln the Great Emancipator? Reflections on the 150th Anniversary of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation" as part of the History Workshop series, "Human Rights and Historical Responsibilities."

September 22nd marks the 150th anniversary of the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. This was a year-and-a-half after the Civil War began. Why did President Lincoln wait so long to issue the proclamation? Was he "forced into glory" as one critic has said, or was this a reflection of his own goals and desires? Why did he only free the slaves in the Confederacy, and leave slavery untouched in the loyal slave states? Was Lincoln the "Great Emancipator" or was he a shrewd politician who had little interest in emancipation? Did Lincoln free the slaves, or were they freed by their own actions?

Event Sponsor
History and American Studies, Mānoa Campus

More Information
History Workshop, 956-7407, histwork@hawaii.edu

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