Lincoln, Leadership, and Race - Emancipation as Policy

Explore a pivotal lecture from Yale University's "The Civil War and Reconstruction" course, delving into the summer of 1862 and its profound impact on the American Civil War. Follow Robert E. Lee's northern invasion culminating in the Battle of Antietam, and examine the subsequent issuance of Abraham Lincoln's preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. Analyze Lincoln's enigmatic character, focusing on his capacity for change as a defining trait. Investigate the role of American slaves in securing their own freedom through the compelling story of John Washington. Gain insights into turning points of the Civil War, Lee's strategic assumptions, the significance of Antietam, Lincoln's views on slavery, and the complexities surrounding slave conscription and emancipation in this comprehensive 52-minute exploration of leadership and race during a transformative period in American history.