Position Paper in Week 8
In Chapter Six, the author says the following: “Lincoln’s decision to adopt emancipation as a Union war aim did not solve either his political or his military problems. To the contrary, his action alienated many northern Democrats from the war effort, failed to mollify his Republican critics, and created deep divisions both at home and within party ranks. At the same time, Northerners became increasingly despondent over the Union’s military failures and the war’s mounting death toll; desertions from the army peaked; and Union generals openly carped at one another and denounced the government.”
At “midstream” which aspect of the war created the most difficulty for President Lincoln – emancipation-related issues, an ineffective and inefficient military, or political threats from both Republicans and Democrats? In your Position Paper, explain the reasons for your answer, defending that choice with three text citations.

Sources from “This Terrible War” The Civil War and its Aftermath..Third Edition…Fellman, Gordon, Sutherland.