I doubt this will be popular and I'm sorry if this upsets people (who hate the truth) but if I have to hear one more ignorant person who got their entire history lesson from the movie "Lincoln" tell me that he was the best president ever because he wanted equal rights for everyone I'm going to go nuts.
The truth about Lincoln:
Supported colonization, which was exporting freed slaves to other countries. There is evidence that he even supported this up until he was assassinated.
Lincoln only abolished slavery in states not loyal to the Union with the Emancipation Proclamation. It resulted ultimately in slavery's demise but it did not have the intent to free all slaves and if you read the actual text it only freed slaves in states who didn't recognize support the Union. Loyal border states were exempt.
While he believed in abolition, Lincoln stated that if he could have saved the Union by not freeing slaves he would have or if he could save it by freeing the slaves he would have. Either way he was fine with it as long as the Union won. Basically he admits that it was a decision born not from some deep burning desire for equality but rather an opportunistic way to tip the war into his favor.
Black Union soldiers were paid a rate of $10 per month but were charged $3 for uniforms. Whites were paid $13 per month and their uniforms were provided free. Doesn't get clearer than that exactly what the Union thought about equal rights.
Lincoln did not believe that blacks were equal and did not think they should be allowed to marry whites, vote, or hold public office. These are from direct quotes.
In short, history has been kinder to Lincoln than he deserves. Despite beig a catalyst for freedom and equality, he did not believe in equal rights for everyone. He was a semi-douchebag who history has painted as a hero.
That is all. I'll prepare my flame suit now...
