Abraham Lincoln: The Great Emancipator During Abraham Lincoln's short time as president, he managed not only to save a nation deeply divided and at war with itself, but also to solidify the United States of America. America as a nation dedicated to the advancement of civil rights. Years after his death, he received the title “Great Emancipator”. In this article, I will examine many different aspects of Lincoln's presidency in order to come to one conclusion: whether this title given to Lincoln was deserved or not. In order to fully understand Lincoln, it is necessary to understand the motivations that led this man to act. Although some of his intentions may not have been for the welfare of the slaves, but for the preservation of the Union, the actions still stand today. Abraham Lincoln, although motivated by his dedication to his nation, struck the first blows against the institution of slavery and rightly earned his title as the “Great Emancipator.” In a speech that Lincoln gave before his presidency, we can see how ambiguous his speech is. the position on slavery really was. This speech, known as the "House Divided" speech, was delivered on June 16, 1858 and outlined his beliefs regarding secession, but did not solidify the abolition of slavery as a primary goal. Lincoln states that the nation "could not endure, permanently, half slave and half free," and that slavery will cease to exist or legally encompass all states (Lincoln). At this point in his life, Lincoln's primary concern was clearly the preservation of the nation. Contrary to modern misconception, Lincoln did not believe that black people were equal to white men in intellect or morality. In his fourth debate in Charleston, Illinois, he is direct...... middle of paper......ator.' Rather than viewing Lincoln as a man who sought emancipation as his primary goal, which is misleading, we should remember him as a man who rose above the dominant prejudices of his time to reject a morally corrupt institution. The Fiery Trial: Abraham Lincoln and American Slavery. New York: WW Norton &, 2010. Print. Lincoln, Abraham. Lincoln's “House Divided” Speech. The Annals of America. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1968. N. pag. Print.Lincoln, Abraham and Terence Ball. Abraham Lincoln: Political Writings and Speeches. New York: Cambridge UP, 2013. Print. Lincoln, Abraham and William H. Seward. “Emancipation Proclamation.” National archives and archives administration. Np, and Web. December 10, 2013.ml>.