The differences between the information communicated by written history and cinematic history occur on the presentation of the events. The purpose of both written and film media is to communicate. Both written history and cinematic history may communicate the occurrence of historical events. However, the viewers understand both forms of media differently. Cinematic history is able to create a mental picture on the mind of the viewer. Although the cinematic history creates a good mental picture to the viewer, they have a tendency of containing altered information. On the other hand, written history presents information that is more precise to the reader. Most of the written history takes the form of primary sources of information. Accordingly, there is less bias, meaning that their accounts are more accurate. Foner provides a more convincing image of Lincoln and his participation towards the end of slavery.
In terms of intellectual power, the book presents a stronger case than the film. From historical records, one can share a similar opinion to that presented by the book. The book has a stronger understanding of history because the author is a renowned Historian. Foner has put into account his knowledge in history as he wrote the book. Foner manages to gather historical facts that led to the amendment and provides them in his book. He presents these facts in a chronological order for the reader to comprehend the events. The slave had begun the civil rights movements, which pushed for the agenda to set them free. Slaves actively participated in seeking for their freedom (Guelzo, 29). In this context, President Lincoln engaged the House of Representatives to discuss the agenda. Foner highlights Lincoln interest in addressing the question of slavery by noting that, “Lincoln addressed head-on the vexatious question of black citizenship” (Foner 95). Therefore, the book shows low intellectual power over facts that exist in historical records. However, the film has a higher emotional power over the viewers than the book has over its readers. The film actively engages the viewer to understand the struggle by slaves to end slavery. This is evident in their highly spirited assertion that, "We here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." (Lincoln). The film presents how the slaves had longed for the end of slavery. Therefore, the day when they achieved their mission and agenda sparks emotions. People get emotional when they receive something they had struggled to attain. Many had died in the struggle this fact also sparks emotions to the viewer. The book does not spark emotions strongly as the film does. Therefore, the book has a lower emotional power over the reader as compared to the film. The book however, has stronger intellectual power than the film since it presents facts, which historians support.
In the film, Lincoln, It appears that President Lincoln and the House of Representatives freed the slaves. This is apparent in the scene where Lincoln addresses the Representatives in which he observes that, “The fate of human decency is in our hands” (Lincoln). This is in contrast with the case in the book The Fiery Trial since the slaves participated in campaigns that led to their freedom. Both sources of information present the issue of slavery differently. However, a trace in American history on will learn that the book presents the facts more accurately. Cinematic history requires a creative director who directs the actors and the entire film shooting process. Any misunderstanding that he may have about historical events will alter the actual history. Cinematic history also depends on a film writer to write creative scripts through imagination and other sources of historical information. Lastly, cinematic history depends on the actors to play their roles efficiently. When any of these parties fails, cinematic history may present altered information. On the other hand, written history only depends on the writer to present the historical information gathered accurately. The film shows that Lincoln pushed for the ratification of the thirteenth amendment in the House of Representatives. For example, in one scene Gettysberg accounts, “Trust? Gentlemen, you seem to have forgotten that our chosen career is politics” (Lincoln). Besides, the film fails to show that Lincoln had rejected the thirteenth amendment in 1864.
The film presents a period of three weeks. The three weeks this led to the freeing of slaves. The film covers the period when Lincoln began advocating for the ratification of the 13th amendment. The film only covers a period when President Lincoln became active in freeing the slaves and he involved the House of Representatives in his agenda. He asked the House of Representatives to ratify the amendment and implement it as law. Today the amendment serves as law (Emanuel, 109). This frame presents a small timeframe to the viewer. By focusing on this period, the viewer understands that President Lincoln initiated the campaign to end slavery. The film does not cover the slave’s participation in the agenda to end slavery. The film also focuses on the period when the House of Representatives participated in ratifying the thirteenth amendment. In the scene before the battle, Lincoln states, “I am the President of the United States clothed with immense power (Lincoln).” The declaration shows that Lincoln understood and acknowledged his position in ending slavery. The film creates the impression that the end of slavery came due to the involvement of the president and the House of Representatives. It fails to highlight the period when President Lincoln had rejected the 13th amendment.
The book covers a longer period than the film. The book covers Lincoln’s ideas and his political steps towards the end of slavery. The book covers the period from the 1830`s through to the 1850`s. It presents Lincoln’s sentiments on slavery throughout his reign. The book accounts that "Earlier in his career, Lincoln had described slavery as unjust” (Foner 86). The book presents the speeches by President Lincoln during this period with an aim of showing his participation in ending slavery. The book also covers the early life of Lincoln before he became President. The book covers a period in Lincoln’s life when he did not have the authority to make decisions affecting a large population. The author does this purposely to show how Lincoln’s ideas changed over time. The book covers a longer period focusing on Lincoln’s life. Therefore, the book presents his participation in a better way.
The film presents a minimal participation of slaves and civil rights activists in the achievement of freedom. The film focuses on the participation of lawmakers during the period when they debated about the 13th amendment. The film highlights the influence of lawmakers in ending slavery. The film also presents the influence of civil rights activists as the main cause for Lincoln to take action. The film presents the republicans as individuals who wanted the civil war to end. This is evident in the scene featuring Gettysberg Address where Lincoln states, “Shall we stop this bleeding” (Lincoln). This means that the participation in ratifying the 13th amendment served a different purpose. They did not accept it into law due to the plight of slaves. They only wanted the civil war during their time in power to end. The republicans did not want to leave a bad legacy. The book presents the republicans as a group of people who wanted to abolish slavery. It also presents the democrats as a group that wanted to conserve American traditions. According to the book, Lincoln played a moderate role in the fight against slavery. He used strategic tactics to lure other legislators to support his agenda. The book states, “president’s encounters with ‘talented, politically active black men and women’ once in the White House (Foner 257)”. The book also highlights the great role played by civil rights activists and the slaves in ending slavery. The book highlights that the slaves and civil rights activists initiated the civil war. The civil war caused a political uproar. The republicans had control of the government. This meant that they did not want to have a bad reputation. The civil war prompted to republicans to act and implement the 13th amendment. The legislators amended the constitution to end slavery.
The film treats the antislavery politics as a move to side with the civil rights activists. The film suggests that the main concern for Lincoln was for the freed slaves not to end up as slaves again. Lincoln worried about the re-enslavement of slaves who had received their freedom from their masters. This becomes apparent in the scene where Lincoln addresses the Representatives. He asks, “Do we choose to be born? Or do we fit into the times where born into?” (Lincoln).The film presents the agenda of ending the civil war as the main reason why republicans agreed to ratify the amendment. Having won the elections in 1864 with a majority of republicans as representatives the agenda would succeed. Foner presents this sentiment by stating, “Many aspects of the slavery controversy were only marginally related to race” (Foner 120). However, the republicans needed support from some democrats for the ratification to sail through. The film shows that bribery took center stage as other political games took place.
The book treats antislavery politics as a move to win popularity. Foner argues that "To Lincoln, Whig policies offered the surest means of creating economic opportunities for upwardly striving men like himself” (Foner 57). The book shows that Lincoln had rejected the amendment as the Women group had presented it to him. However, when he won the elections this became a political move to win popularity. He accepted the same amendment that he had rejected. The book presents the different actions as political moves to win the support of those who posed a threat to his leadership. The civil war occurred just after the elections. Foner explains the situation nature of the civil war by noting, “Many aspects of the slavery controversy were only marginally related to race” (Foner 120). The civil war would deter the process of leadership in his new administration. He wanted to avoid having a rough start.
In the book, the civil rights movements and the slaves also take center stage in pushing for the agenda. Republicans also participate in the amendment. This means that the republicans contributed in the freeing of slaves that was, ‘a crucial moment of transition’ for Lincoln (Foner 238). In the film, Lincoln works alone with the representatives to end slavery. The film does not highlight the participation by civil rights movements and the slaves. Foner and Spielberg give credit to different parties. Their different choices show that Foner appreciates the role that slaves and civil rights activists played in ending slavery. Spielberg appreciates the role that lawmakers and Lincoln played in ending slavery. Both Spielberg and Foner credit different historical actors who assumed important roles in ending slavery.
Works Cited
Emanuel, Steven L. Constitutional law. 28th ed. Austin: Wolters Kluwer Law & Business ;, 2010. Print.
Foner, Eric. The fiery trial: Abraham Lincoln and American slavery. New York: W. W. Norton & Co., 2010. Print.
Lincoln. Dir. Steven Spielberg. Perf. Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, 2013. HD-DVD.
Guelzo, Allen C.. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation: the end of slavery in America. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004. Print.
