Summary Of The Emancipation Proclamation By Dr. James A. Burran

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The news article, “The Emancipation Proclamation” by Dr. James A. Burran informs the reader of the historical documents original intention. Dr.Burran explains that Lincoln wasn’t concerned about the people of color but the existence of slavery as a legal institution, Lincoln stated that if he could save the Union without freeing slaves he would. Then the writer explains how Lincoln wanted to create chaos in the South by confiscating slaves as property. He reveals that the revised version of the proclamation permitted African-Americans to enlist in the armed forces of the United States. Dr.Burran elaborates by highlighting that this resulted in 186,000 formers slaves became soldiers. The author goes on to explain how soldiers of color were often singled out and treated very brutally. Then, he points out that Britain, the most …show more content…

Even before we read this article I believed that he was this noble hero who would do whatever it takes to free slaves, I guess I was wrong. When I learned that Lincoln could have cared less if the slaves were freed was both surprising and a little upsetting to me. Looking back at all the history classes I was in as a kid I feel in a way as if I was lied to or not told the full truth. However putting all of that to the side, now that I know what really happened it makes sense why he did what he did. Lincoln did what he had to do to win the war and that was what was important to him. Also, I now realize after hearing all of this is that the even if Lincoln wasn’t concerned about people of color in the end slavery was still abolished and the slaves were freed. Besides this I enjoyed the way Dr.Burran structured his article giving the background of slavery and the Proclamation and then moving forward in history giving the reader the outcome of what Lincoln had put in