Lincoln movie response

Political cartoon from civil war era showing Lincoln's struggle with slavery

1. Lincoln was uncompromising because he was very forceful about getting the 13th amendment passed and would not back down from this position. He also did not let anyone's view of it not being successful stop him and stuck with his belief slavery was wrong because everyone was equal. Thaddeus Stevens was uncompromising because he also wanted slavery abolished but would not admit he thought them all equal in humanity. He just said he wanted them all equal under the law. They were able to compromise on ending slavery, but wouldn't compromise on their own beliefs.

2. The movie shows us how Lincoln's views on abolishing slavery morph from unsure into complete necessity like the letters. This is shown because in the beginning of the movie he is unsure to end it when talking to the soldiers and his wife because he does not know if it will work or not. Then, he slowly changes his mindset into one that believes it most be ended to stabilize the union. This is shown because he begins to dedicates all his time into ending it and when he angrily runs out of patience about the last votes.

3. He believed it was essential because if slavery was not abolished the union would fall apart and his number one goal was to keep the union together and end the war.

4. It complicated the union and confederate peoples views on slavery because it showed they were not clear cut black and white. For example, it showed how some of the republicans did not want slavery to end because they did not think slaves were equal to them and were scared they would outnumber them.

5. The people resisted the abolishment of slavery because they were scared. The whites feared that if the slaves were freed and made equal they would create a rebellion against the whites and outnumber them. They were also worried that they would have the same power as them in government and voting. They did not resist it because of "property rights."