Analyzing the Emancipation Proclamation
You can find this storyboard in the following articles and resources:
The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln
Lesson Plans by Richard Cleggett
Abraham Lincoln’s presidential service is remarkable, both in the obstacles he faced, and the manner in which he overcame them. Lincoln has come to be regarded as one of the greatest presidents in U.S. History. Students will enjoy bringing the events of his candidacy to life through storyboards, and will be able to better understand his impact on history.
Storyboard Description
Emancipation Proclamation analysis
Storyboard Text
- The Emancipation Proclamation
- Excerpt 1
- Excerpt 2
- Slaves are forever free henceforward!
- Excerpt 3
- We shall increase our army!
- Meaning/Rationale
- "That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons..."
- FREE!
- In this excerpt, Lincoln officially declares all slaves held in rebellious states as free, from this moment onward. In addition to this, Lincoln also declares that the federal government of the Union, including military personnel, will recognize slaves' freedom and aim to preserve it.
- "And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service."
- I can now fight... thank you Mr. Lincoln!
- "Now, therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-Chief, of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion, do, on this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three..."
- In this excerpt, Lincoln justifies his freeing of the slaves as a war measure to suppress the rebellion. For Lincoln, it is necessary in order to fight, and win, the Civil War, and end the rebellion of the South and Confederate States of America against the Union.
- This excerpt in the Proclamation declares that all freed slaves suitable for fighting can, and are encouraged, to join the ranks of the Union army. This also relates to the fact that Lincoln is issuing the Proclamation as a war measure. In addition, this will boost Union numbers and their overall fighting power. Over 140,000 African Americans will join the Union army.
Over 30 Million Storyboards Created