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Emancipation Hell: The Tragedy Wrought By Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation
Emancipation—freeing the slaves—Hell? The Emancipation Proclamation—one of the sacred icons of American history—a tragedy? How can this be?
That was the opinion of Frederick Douglass, the most important African American leader of the 19th century, who proclaimed, “I denounce the so-called Emancipation.”
Douglass wrote: “I admit that the Negro…has made little progress from barbarism to civilization, and that he is in a deplorable condition since his emancipation. That he is worse off in many respects, than when he was a slave, I am compelled to admit…”
Indeed, social statistics of 1900 indicate that material quality of life was lower for most black Americans than under slavery.
Kirkpatrick Sale marshals much forgotten evidence to cast this glorious part of American history in a realistic and critical light.
Emancipation, yes. But as a military measure during a cruel war of invasion?
Slavery once existed throughout the Western Hemisphere, but almost everywhere except the United States, it ended peacefully. Emancipation with no thought or plan for the unprecedented situation to be managed? With no real sympathy or interest in the people freed except their usefulness in controlling and exploiting the conquered South? (Some Northern leaders denounced the Proclamation as an atrocity and an estimated 200,000 Northerners deserted or evaded service in a war for African Americans rather than for the “Union.”)
Perhaps never in history, Kirkpatrick Sale demonstrates, has a benevolent act been so tainted with impure motives and disdain of consequences.
Abraham Lincoln has a lot to answer for, says the author. His flawed proclamation doomed Americans to a century and a half of racial conflict and disparity that is still with us.
NOTE: This is AUTHORIZED REISSUE of Kirkpatrick Sale's 2012 self-published book Emancipation Hell: The Tragedy Wrought by the Emancipation Proclamation 150 Years Ago.
That was the opinion of Frederick Douglass, the most important African American leader of the 19th century, who proclaimed, “I denounce the so-called Emancipation.”
Douglass wrote: “I admit that the Negro…has made little progress from barbarism to civilization, and that he is in a deplorable condition since his emancipation. That he is worse off in many respects, than when he was a slave, I am compelled to admit…”
Indeed, social statistics of 1900 indicate that material quality of life was lower for most black Americans than under slavery.
Kirkpatrick Sale marshals much forgotten evidence to cast this glorious part of American history in a realistic and critical light.
Emancipation, yes. But as a military measure during a cruel war of invasion?
Slavery once existed throughout the Western Hemisphere, but almost everywhere except the United States, it ended peacefully. Emancipation with no thought or plan for the unprecedented situation to be managed? With no real sympathy or interest in the people freed except their usefulness in controlling and exploiting the conquered South? (Some Northern leaders denounced the Proclamation as an atrocity and an estimated 200,000 Northerners deserted or evaded service in a war for African Americans rather than for the “Union.”)
Perhaps never in history, Kirkpatrick Sale demonstrates, has a benevolent act been so tainted with impure motives and disdain of consequences.
Abraham Lincoln has a lot to answer for, says the author. His flawed proclamation doomed Americans to a century and a half of racial conflict and disparity that is still with us.
NOTE: This is AUTHORIZED REISSUE of Kirkpatrick Sale's 2012 self-published book Emancipation Hell: The Tragedy Wrought by the Emancipation Proclamation 150 Years Ago.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 23, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 5, 2022
Another short but powerful enlightening treatise on the illegal war perpetrated on the South. This looks at the subject of the Emancipation Proclamation. It was not the noble, "free the slaves" event that is generally taught.
This is what Frederick Douglas, the leading abolitionist of the day said,“I denounce the so-called Emancipation.” Douglass wrote: “I admit that the Negro…has made little progress from barbarism to civilization, and that he is in a deplorable condition since his emancipation. That he is worse off in many respects, than when he was a slave, I am compelled to admit…”
This book goes on to explain that in a detailed way the even casts light on today's situation between the white and black races. Yes, it was hell... for everybody, for over 150 years!
This is what Frederick Douglas, the leading abolitionist of the day said,“I denounce the so-called Emancipation.” Douglass wrote: “I admit that the Negro…has made little progress from barbarism to civilization, and that he is in a deplorable condition since his emancipation. That he is worse off in many respects, than when he was a slave, I am compelled to admit…”
This book goes on to explain that in a detailed way the even casts light on today's situation between the white and black races. Yes, it was hell... for everybody, for over 150 years!
May 29, 2017
Very interesting read. Sheds new light on Lincoln's "Emancipation proclamation", and the motives behind it. Don't know that I necessarily agree with all of Mr. Sale's conclusions, but it does makes me reconsider some of my previously held notions regarding our 16th President.
March 12, 2018
Learn the truth
Lincoln only used the Emancipation Proclamation as a war measure to disrupt the South and keep European countries out of the war. The North only cared about the negro to gain political power.
Lincoln only used the Emancipation Proclamation as a war measure to disrupt the South and keep European countries out of the war. The North only cared about the negro to gain political power.
January 21, 2019
Great read
Amazing book. Easy read. If you seek the truth about the Civil War and Emancipation and the fraud that has been perpetuated on the descendants of slaves then look no further.
Amazing book. Easy read. If you seek the truth about the Civil War and Emancipation and the fraud that has been perpetuated on the descendants of slaves then look no further.
July 8, 2024
Close to Truth which is critically important if we are to ever uncover important lessons buried under our inculcated mythology.
Overall facts presented on the tyranny of the Union over the Southern people is very good. The author does a great job exposing the Radical Republicans and Lincoln (except the origins of the Radical Republicans). He fails to explain the reasons for the choice of secession by each of the regions (they did not all secede at the same time, remember).
It was not to keep slavery, no more than the DoI was to keep slavery. It was due to the ever increasing tariffs and subjugation of all peoples of the South and the promise by the Radicals and Lincoln to keep increasing them, despite them being sovereign Nation/States.
Was slavery an issue? Sure. Taxation without representation was also one issue that led to revolution against Britain but not the only issue. It is more complex, involving many issues. The slandered States' Rights was their breaking point. Remember, 70 to 80% (depending on the nation/state) NEVER owned slaves. Former slaves that had earned their freedom also had a percentage that went into plantation ownership and...yes, they too owned slaves. The brutal plantation owners (they did exist) were not longtime southerners who grew up with slaves BUT northerners who came to make money, who brought their northern misunderstanding, fear, and hatred with them and were completely abusive. The other horrid stories we associate with all southerners before and after the uncivil war are well covered in this book!
He does not cover their roots from the migration of revolutionaries fleeing Europe from 1848 to 1850. He also gives the Democratic Party an inaccurate treatment, failing to ask WHY were they able to rise back into power so quickly. He gives a myth and legend version yet the party's roots are also from a migration of failed revolutionaries from Europe in the late 1820s and early 30s.
Both factions still controlling us today have been working together for over 170+ years. Lincoln's war of tyranny and destruction completely changed our Constitutional structure and Mt. Rushmore needs a serious facelift! This book goes a long way in helping with that and I am very glad I read it, picking up even more insights than I have over the past 40 years of digging for lost truth among the myths and legends. I highly recommend it with the above mentioned caveats!
Overall facts presented on the tyranny of the Union over the Southern people is very good. The author does a great job exposing the Radical Republicans and Lincoln (except the origins of the Radical Republicans). He fails to explain the reasons for the choice of secession by each of the regions (they did not all secede at the same time, remember).
It was not to keep slavery, no more than the DoI was to keep slavery. It was due to the ever increasing tariffs and subjugation of all peoples of the South and the promise by the Radicals and Lincoln to keep increasing them, despite them being sovereign Nation/States.
Was slavery an issue? Sure. Taxation without representation was also one issue that led to revolution against Britain but not the only issue. It is more complex, involving many issues. The slandered States' Rights was their breaking point. Remember, 70 to 80% (depending on the nation/state) NEVER owned slaves. Former slaves that had earned their freedom also had a percentage that went into plantation ownership and...yes, they too owned slaves. The brutal plantation owners (they did exist) were not longtime southerners who grew up with slaves BUT northerners who came to make money, who brought their northern misunderstanding, fear, and hatred with them and were completely abusive. The other horrid stories we associate with all southerners before and after the uncivil war are well covered in this book!
He does not cover their roots from the migration of revolutionaries fleeing Europe from 1848 to 1850. He also gives the Democratic Party an inaccurate treatment, failing to ask WHY were they able to rise back into power so quickly. He gives a myth and legend version yet the party's roots are also from a migration of failed revolutionaries from Europe in the late 1820s and early 30s.
Both factions still controlling us today have been working together for over 170+ years. Lincoln's war of tyranny and destruction completely changed our Constitutional structure and Mt. Rushmore needs a serious facelift! This book goes a long way in helping with that and I am very glad I read it, picking up even more insights than I have over the past 40 years of digging for lost truth among the myths and legends. I highly recommend it with the above mentioned caveats!
June 3, 2024
Having grown up 10 miles from Manassas Battlefield it is amazing to finally discover portions of the history that were never taught in grammer school, high school or university. These greatly change what one should and does think about this period and their consequences.
There are also portions within this slim book that parallel things going on today.
There are also portions within this slim book that parallel things going on today.
November 30, 2019
Superb overview of this period in American history with lots to research elsewhere in recommended readings.
December 3, 2019
I felt this book was eye opening to some of the ways blacks suffered during and post world war. They were used and cast aside for political gain. Not unlike today. Some very interesting quotes in there.
March 26, 2013
It's fascinating to get an honest glimpse into the actual political and economic intentions behind the Emancipation Proclamation.
Also, this is very poorly edited.
Also, this is very poorly edited.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews