Syed Mahdi’s Reviews > Lincoln the Unknown > Status Update

When he declared the emancipation proclamation, even ppl amongst the union were not in favour of it entirely. But by freeing the slaves he loosened the grip and power of the south.

The confederates were gaining support of the french bc they took over mexico n thot that the union would not support it. The british were in need of cotton and bc union had closed the ports they weren’t getting it. Also the british were scared if usa getting too strong. But by making the british populace sympathize with slaves thru the story uncle toms cabin, he got the british to stay out of it.

Ch. 24 is about what i’m most interested about. The real reason behind the abolishment of slavery. Which of course was a nuanced decision.

On one hand Abe didn’t entirely care about the state of slaves, he cared about the union. He did what he believed benefited the union. The union were against the expansion of slavery in the west, not entirely in favour of abolishment.