Malcolm Rivera
The 2012 film Lincoln, directed by Steven Spielberg, focuses on the 16th US President's final months in office, during which he pushed for the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution to be passed by the House of Representatives, forever outlawing slavery. The film humanises Lincoln and illuminates the skepticism and grayness of the government during that time. It portrays the democratic process in all its messiness and grubbiness, where great achievements can only be ground out by working through competing interests and the foibles of weak, conceited men. The film has received praise for its performances, particularly that of Daniel Day-Lewis as Lincoln, but has also faced criticism for its portrayal of passive Black characters and for putting white men at the centre of the narrative, marginalising the very people who fought and died for their own humanity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Focus on Lincoln's efforts to abolish slavery | Lincoln wanted to pass the 13th Amendment to the Constitution to abolish slavery |
| Support from Republicans | Lincoln had the support of his fellow Republicans |
| Need for Democratic votes | Lincoln had to work to assure enough yes votes from Democrats |
| Compromises | Lincoln had to make compromises to get enough votes for the Amendment |
| Timeline | Lincoln wanted to pass the Amendment before peace came and the slave states re-entered the Union |
| Emancipation Proclamation | Lincoln's 1863 Emancipation Proclamation may have been discarded by the courts once the war ended |
| Congressional politics | The film depicts the work of Congressional politics, sometimes dirty, to pass the Amendment |
| Bipartisan support | The film alludes to the need for bipartisan support to pass major legislation |
| National reconciliation | The film's narrative is rooted in the 19th-century project of national reconciliation |
| Political affair | Lincoln reframes the Civil War as primarily a political affair |
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What You'll Learn
Lincoln's interpretation of the Emancipation Proclamation
The film Lincoln focuses on Abraham Lincoln's efforts to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude by passing the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. The film depicts Lincoln's interpretation of the Emancipation Proclamation as a crucial step towards achieving this goal.
Lincoln, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, is shown to be anxious to amend the Constitution before the Civil War ends and the slave states re-enter the Union. He recognises that the Emancipation Proclamation is not entirely constitutional, but justifies it as a necessary military manoeuvre during wartime. Lincoln acknowledges that the Proclamation's fate once peace is achieved is uncertain, highlighting the importance of passing the Thirteenth Amendment to fully and formally abolish slavery.
The Proclamation was a military measure designed to deprive the Confederacy of slave labour and bring additional men into the Union Army. It was also intended to inspire all Black people, especially those in the Confederacy, to support the Union cause and prevent international recognition and aid for the Confederacy. However, Lincoln and his cabinet were aware of the Proclamation's limitations. It only applied to states that had seceded from the Union, leaving slavery in place in the border states. Additionally, the freedom it promised depended on a Union military victory.
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The 13th Amendment and the removal of slavery protections
The 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, passed on January 31, 1865, and ratified on December 6, 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude within the United States and its territories. It states:
> "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."
The film "Lincoln" focuses on the political efforts of President Abraham Lincoln and his administration to pass the 13th Amendment through the House of Representatives and end slavery once and for all. The movie highlights the challenges and compromises made during the political process, including lobbying by figures such as William N. Bilbo and Richard Schell.
Prior to the 13th Amendment, President Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared that "all persons held as slaves within any State... in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free." However, the Emancipation Proclamation did not end slavery nationwide as it only applied to areas of the Confederacy in rebellion and not to the "border states" that remained in the Union. Lincoln recognised that a constitutional amendment was necessary to truly abolish slavery across the nation.
The film depicts the urgency felt by Lincoln to amend the Constitution before the end of the Civil War and the re-entry of the slave states into the Union. The 13th Amendment faced opposition, particularly from Democrats who still held power to block Republican efforts. The amendment required bipartisan support, adding complexity to the political process.
The successful passage of the 13th Amendment through Congress and its subsequent ratification by the required number of states marked a significant turning point in American history. It provided a final constitutional solution to the issue of slavery and, along with the 14th and 15th Amendments, greatly expanded the civil rights of Americans.
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The role of the people in a democratic government
The movie Lincoln portrays the role of the people in a democratic government as complex and multifaceted. It highlights the importance of the people's choices and how they shape the direction of the nation. The film focuses on President Abraham Lincoln's efforts to pass the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which aimed to abolish slavery. At the time, the majority of Americans supported obedience to the Constitution, which included protections for slavery in the South. This dynamic sheds light on the role of the people in a democratic government, where majorities hold the power to govern, even if their decisions are not always morally correct.
The film also showcases the political process and the role of representatives in a democracy. Lincoln and the Republicans worked to gather enough votes from Congress to pass the amendment, even though it went against the interests of some of the slave states. This aspect underscores the importance of choosing representatives who will make decisions in the best interests of the people they serve. The democratic process, as depicted in the film, is messy and complex, requiring compromise and the ability to work through competing interests.
Additionally, Lincoln's struggle to end slavery highlights the role of the people in recognising equal humanity. A. O. Scott from The New York Times commented that the film showcases "how difficult and costly it has been for the United States to recognise the full and equal humanity of Black people". This aspect underscores the role of the people in a democratic government in recognising and upholding the rights and humanity of all citizens.
The portrayal of Lincoln's relationship with Mary Todd Lincoln also offers insights into the role of the people in a democratic government. Their dynamic showcases the influence of personal relationships and how they can impact political decisions. Mary Todd Lincoln's presence in the film provides a glimpse into the private life of a president and how it can shape their public decisions.
Overall, the movie Lincoln presents a nuanced view of the role of the people in a democratic government. It highlights the complexities of the democratic process, the importance of representative choices, and the recognition of equal humanity. By setting the film during a pivotal moment in American history, the film underscores the impact of the people's decisions and how they can shape the course of a nation.
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Lincoln's legacy and amending the Constitution
The film Lincoln focuses on the final months of the 16th US President, Abraham Lincoln, and his efforts to abolish slavery and involuntary servitude by passing the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. This amendment was a landmark constitutional change that would forever ban slavery in the United States. Lincoln, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, is portrayed as a passionate, humane, and skilled politician, who is anxious to seal his legacy by amending the Constitution before the Civil War ends and the slave states re-enter the Union.
The film depicts Lincoln's struggle to obtain enough votes from Congress to pass the amendment, as he races against time before peace is achieved and the returning southern states block the amendment. Lincoln's concern about his wife's emotional instability and the strains of a wartime presidency add depth to the portrayal of his character. The relationship between Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln is said to be the most dynamic and compelling aspect of the film.
The movie highlights the political nature of the Civil War, as Lincoln reframes the conflict as a political affair, primarily motivated by contests over slavery, democratic rights, and citizenship. It showcases the messy and grubby nature of the democratic process, where great achievements are the result of navigating competing interests and the weaknesses of those in power.
Lincoln's legacy is that of a courageous and morally strong leader who pushed for the abolition of slavery, even when faced with the possibility of an early peace deal that could save thousands of lives. His defining legacy is his commitment to achieving the greater good for all mankind, by ending the war, reuniting the country, and ensuring the permanent abolition of slavery through the 13th Amendment.
The film also serves as a civics lesson, providing insight into Lincoln's character as a politician and the broader social movement that resulted in the emancipation of slaves. It highlights the failure of morality at the time, as the majority of Americans supported obedience to the Constitution, which protected slavery in the South. Lincoln's efforts to amend the Constitution and abolish slavery are a powerful reminder of the importance of moral leadership in democratic societies.
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The democratic process and competing interests
The film Lincoln focuses on the democratic process and the competing interests that shaped the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which abolished slavery. The film depicts the political manoeuvring and compromises that were necessary to achieve this landmark amendment. Lincoln, played by Daniel Day-Lewis, is shown to be a master politician, using all his skill and passion to achieve his goal of ending slavery and reuniting the country.
The film is set in January 1865, during the American Civil War, and Lincoln is in a race against time as he expects the war to end within a month. He is concerned that his Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 may be discarded by the courts once the war is over, and that the returning slave states will defeat the Thirteenth Amendment. Lincoln must obtain enough votes from Congress before peace arrives, and this is no easy task. The film shows the grubby, messy reality of politics, with Lincoln and his team working hard behind the scenes to assure enough 'yes' votes from Democrats, which may require compromise.
Lincoln's efforts to pass the Thirteenth Amendment are set against the broader context of the Civil War and the struggle to end slavery in the United States. The film depicts the political contests over slavery, democratic rights, and citizenship that motivated the conflict. It portrays the competing interests and ideologies of the time, with Lincoln and the Republicans pushing for the amendment to protect anti-slavery gains and prevent civil strife in the future, while facing opposition from those who wished to delay its passage or keep slavery.
The film also highlights the role of the people in a democratic government. Lincoln's quote, "If slavery is not wrong, nothing is wrong," contrasts with the fact that most Americans, both North and South, supported obedience to the Constitution, which protected slavery in the South. The film raises questions about the responsibility of voters to choose representatives who will make the right choices.
Overall, Lincoln presents a complex and intimate portrait of a politician navigating the democratic process and competing interests to achieve a historic victory for human rights and equality.
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Frequently asked questions
The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude.
The film focuses on President Lincoln's efforts to pass the 13th Amendment through the House of Representatives before the end of the Civil War, as he believed that peace before the Amendment was passed would mean that the returning Southern states would stop it before it could become law.
The Emancipation Proclamation was an attempt by President Lincoln to abolish slavery, however, he feared that it may be discarded by the courts once the Civil War had concluded.
The movie Lincoln focuses on the political process and the democratic process, with a key theme being the struggle to abolish slavery and the moral failure of the majority of Americans to support this.
