Point 1
Clear Statement
Abraham Lincoln’s plan to table the 13th Amendment to abolish slavery; despite not having the full support of the Republican Party
Brief Summary
According to the movie, Abraham Lincoln decided to table the 13th Amendment in the Senate, which would abolish slavery. Lincoln tabled it at a time when the Civil War was all but won and knew that once the south lost or surrendered, it would be difficult for him to pass the Amendment in the senate. Lincoln knew that people in the conservative faction of the Republican Party would not support the abolition of slavery, as their sole intention was peace in the Union and ratification of the Southern states back in the Union. Knowing that it was the best time to get the Amendment through the Senate, Lincoln went ahead. Lincoln did not have the support of many in the Republican faction, and was heavily opposed by the Democrats. His decision displayed marginal ethical behaviour of a leader, as decided to take abolish slavery before winning the war. He could have waited for the war to be over or simply negotiated for peace with the Southern states, but he wanted to make sure one of the most important objectives of the war, the abolitionist movement was also successful.
Appraisal
The ethical issue raised in front of Abraham Lincoln was either to let slavery remain active in the Southern states, or find ways to eliminate slavery from America altogether. In 1861, Lincoln decided to go to war over the secession and he wanted to ensure that before ratification of the Southern states, slavery was abolished.
Conclusions
The movie reveals the manner in which Abraham Lincoln decided that abolition of slavery was more important that winning the Civil War. Lincoln wanted to ensure that those who perished in the war, especially the sacrifice of the Black soldiers to help the Union win the war was not wasted and slavery was eliminated from the American society.
Point 2
Clear Statement
Another issue where Abraham Lincoln managed to show ethical standards was attempting to convince rather than enforce the Republican radicals to join him in the abolition of slavery, rather than equality in all things.
Brief Summary
Abraham Lincoln faced significant challenges to ensure the 13th amendment was passed. Lincoln had to convince the conservative faction of the Republican on the issue, his biggest challenge was to convince the radicals in the Republican Party who wanted to ensure Negros deserved Race equality. Lincoln managed to convince Radical Republican leader Thaddeus Stevens to take one step at a time and ensure that slavery is abolished. Lincoln explained to Stevens that without the abolition of slavery, it would be impossible for radicals to achieve race equality in the future. The marginally ethical behaviour ensured the radicals understood his point of view, rather than feeling strong armed by their leader.
Appraisal
Without bringing the Republican Party’s conservative and radical faction together, Lincoln knew that abolition of slavery was impossible. His approach to communicate with his party members to understand his point of view was ethical behaviour as it aimed to end the slavery and before the end the bloody war.
Conclusions
Lincoln’s ethical behaviour as the leader brought the Republican Party together and ensured that they worked together as one party to achieve the abolition of slavery and negotiate the surrender of the Confederacy.
References
Spielberg, S. (Director). (2012). Lincoln [Motion picture]. The United States of America: DreamWorks Pictures and Twentieth Century Fox.
