Who Freed the Slaves: Lincoln, Leadership and Emancipation Policy - Class 17

Explore a thought-provoking lecture from Yale University's DeVane Lecture Series examining the complex dynamics of emancipation during the American Civil War, with particular focus on Abraham Lincoln's leadership and policy decisions. Delve into the central question of who truly freed the slaves, analyzing the multifaceted process of emancipation and its lasting impact on American society. Learn how racial slavery shaped American institutions and continues to influence contemporary issues of inequality, democracy, and constitutional governance. Part of a broader series investigating slavery's connection to Yale University, the Civil War, and its enduring legacies across political, constitutional, racial, and economic dimensions. Examine critical turning points in American history where fundamental questions about human freedom, rights, and the future of democratic governance hung in the balance.