Abraham Lincoln on Slavery and Race
by Roberta McCutcheon

 Background:

Slavery played a prominent role in America’s political, social, and economic history in the antebellum era. The South’s “peculiar institution” was at the forefront of discussions ranging from the future of the nation’s economy to Western expansion and the admission of new states into the Union. The public discourse in the first half of the nineteenth century exposed the nation’s ambivalence about slavery and race. Politicians were increasingly pressured to make their opinions known, and Abraham Lincoln was no exception.


Objectives:

Students will:

1. Examine primary documents—the letters and speeches of Abraham Lincoln—in order to analyze Lincoln’s position on slavery.

2. Look at the historical context to understand Lincoln’s views.

3. Increase their understanding of the influence of race on politics in the antebellum era.

A more thorough discussion of Abraham Lincoln’s politics and debates about slavery can be found in a good textbook or at this website: http://college.hmco.com/history/readerscomp/rcah/html/ ah_053700_lincolnabrah.htm

An overview of events leading up to the Civil War can be found on the Gilder Lehrman website:
http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/module9/index.html

Lesson

Activity One: Cooperative Class Discussion -- Abraham Lincoln’s Correspondence

Divide the class into five groups. Assign each group one of the following documents:
  1. Have each group read the assigned Lincoln letter and respond to the following:
    1. Identify any relevant information about the recipient of the letter (the person’s position and significance to Lincoln).
    2. In what context was the letter written? When, where, and why?
    3. What did Lincoln have to say about slavery and/or race in the letter?

    Have each group share its research on its letter with the other groups.

  2. Full-Class Discussion:
    1. Why is it important to establish the historical context for the letter?
    2. Do these letters indicate a change in Lincoln’s position?
    3. Why might Lincoln’s letters express views not found in his speeches?
    4. In what ways do the letters clarify Lincoln’s stand on slavery and/or race?
    5. In what ways do the letters help to us to understand the connection between race and politics?


Activity Two: Panel Discussion -- One Man’s Stand on Slavery and Race

Divide class into several groups and assign each group one of the speeches from the websites listed below. Have each group prepare for a panel discussion in which it will present the position on slavery taken in its assigned speech.

Have each group select a representative to present the group's findings in a panel discussion. The panelists will:

1. Prepare an opening speech on the group’s analysis of the assigned speech. Information to be included in this presentation: the historical context for the speech, the speech’s audience, and the position on slavery that the speech expresses.
2. Be prepared to respond to questions about the contents of the speech and about Lincoln at the time of the speech.

Assign a student moderator. The moderator will:

1. Introduces the topic for the panel discussion.
2. Prepares questions for panelists after presentations.
3. Directs questions from the audience (the remainder of the class) to the panelists.

The remainder of the class will be the audience, and should be prepared to ask the panel members questions about Lincoln and slavery.




Activity Three: Political Campaign

Divide the class in two groups. Each group will plan one of Lincoln’s major political campaigns:
1. 1858 senatorial election (Illinois)
2. 1860 presidential election

Each campaign should include the following:
1. A platform statement on Lincoln’s stand on slavery and on the stand of his political party.
2. Three campaign ads--these should be creative to attract attention and support (for example, posters or a campaign video).
3. An ad exposing the weakness of Lincoln’s opponent in the senate race or of one of his opponents in the presidential race.

Discussion/debriefing questions:

1. Did the two campaigns show a change in Lincoln’s stand on slavery? Explain your opinion.
2. What events or disputes affected the change?
3. Did Lincoln’s position on slavery in each of the campaigns reflect his personal convictions about slavery and race, or one that would best ensure winning the election?

Extension Activity:

Essay

To what extent did the Emancipation Proclamation reflect a change in Lincoln’s position on slavery from 1830 to 1863?

© The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, 2005. All Rights Reserved.