Emancipation Proclamation
Jun 12, 2011
Emancipation Proclamation
When the Civil War began, political leaders of the ruling Republican Party differed with regard to a precise policy concerning slavery. Radical elements within the party pushed for an immediate statement from the federal government abolishing the institution. Others, including Lincoln , initially preferred a more moderate course, but as the war progressed momentum for emancipation grew stronger. Not wanting to announce a major policy shift on slavery until federal armies had achieved a significant victory in the field, Lincoln delayed any announcement on the subject.