Abraham Lincoln Impact

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Abraham Lincoln and his impact
There are seven known world wonders, but America has sculpted itself into the eighth wonder of the world. America has been the symbol of prosperity and hope to people all over the world. Even though America has endured many leaders, wars, and many trials and tribulations, it rose to the challenge. During the creation of America and its upbringing to become a great nation, many important figures paved the way to make it all possible. One man stands out before them all, Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln had the greatest impact because he kept the country united during and after the Civil War, his foreign policies and domestic affairs impacted the United States during the Civil War, and had a lasting impact long after his death; and he was a strong example of a leader by accomplishing the things his predecessors were fearful of attempting. On January 1,1863 African Americans all over the United States were relieved from a burden with the Emancipation Proclamation. Abraham Lincoln used this
Proclamation to preserve the Union and reserve the power for the Union. The Emancipation
Proclamation was to free the slaves, but in reality it was another way to preserve the Union and to please the border states. “The Emancipation Proclamation didn't end slavery outright. But it transformed the nature of the Civil War, helped the Union secure victory, and was a crucial turning point in America's long struggle with race” (Majerol). In presenting the Emancipation
Proclamation, it gave new purpose to fighting the Civil War. The Civil War was originally to preserve the Union because the Confederacy had no reason to try to succeed from the Union. But after issuing the Proclamation, it gave the war a moral reason, which made sympathy in the
Union’s favor. Lincoln always found that slavery was repugnant and morally wrong, but he knew

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that no one, not even Northerners or the border states would support abolition as an aim for war
(“Emancipation Proclamation”). War against slavery would tear the country apart if presented at the wrong time and Lincoln knew this. Lincoln's primary focus while in office was to preserve the Union, so he waited until the best time to present the Proclamation. Lincoln decided that after the Union victory at the battle of Antietam on September 22, 1863 issuing the Preliminary
Emancipation Proclamation was the best thing to do strategically, and morally (“Emancipation
Proclamation”). Lincoln said, that all slaves in rebel states were “forever free” (Mejoral), cause more support for him as a president and even more support for the Union morally. Making the
Civil War more for human freedom instead of preserving the Union gave life to Abraham
Lincoln's plan in preserving the Union one step closer to success.
Abraham Lincoln further secured the preservation of the Union by keeping the border states during the Union during the war. Delaware, Missouri, Kentucky, and Maryland were the four main border states crucial to Abraham Lincoln's plan for the Union. Lincoln always truly believed that the border states were key and must be kept in order for the Union to successfully execute the war. “
His determination, and personal involvement in many routine decisions, generated conflicting opinions in his own party as well as among his political opponents” (Berg).
In keeping the border states, Lincoln allowed his decisions to change his political ways, however he was not able to fully do what he believed in. Lincoln morally believed that slavery was wrong and should be ended, but he never made the border states abolish slavery. The Emancipation
Proclamation was crafted very carefully to avoid angering the border states, and instead of focusing on freeing slaves, it was to keep peace with the border states. Militarily, Lincoln knew the border states were a necessity. Missouri gave access to the Mississippi river, it also allowed

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