Lincoln, the Great Emancipator? (In Class Essay for AP US)

Although Lincoln personally believed slavery to be an unfair and immoral institution, he claimed that he "was not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of white and black races," because he believed that keeping the Union together was more important than his personal beliefs. However, as the Civil War progressed, Lincoln was forced to re-evaluate his position on slavery and was enabled him to put forth what he had always personally wished for in the Emancipation Proclamation.
Before entering presidency, Lincoln had established in his…