BONUS: Is Abraham Lincoln the Great Emancipator or Just Another Racist?

BONUS: Is Abraham Lincoln the Great Emancipator or Just Another Racist?

Author: Liam Heffernan March 29, 2025 Duration: 13:12

In this special bonus episode, following our previous episode What is Emancipation?, we discuss the often overlooked issue of Abraham Lincoln's own prejudice, and how this changed over the course of the civil war.

Plus, our guest discusses his own research on Sherman's March, and his upcoming biography on General Sherman himself.

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Special guest for this episode:

  • Bennett Parten, an Assistant Professor of History at Georgia Southern University, and the author of ‘Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman's March and the Story of America's Largest Emancipation’

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Highlights from this episode:

  • Emancipation and Reconstruction are massive topics that deserve in-depth exploration and discussion.
  • Abraham Lincoln's complicated relationship with race reveals a man whose views evolved over time.
  • Lincoln's early beliefs included ideas of racial superiority and colonization, reflecting the prejudices of his era.
  • The podcast emphasizes the importance of understanding historical context and how perspectives on figures like Lincoln can change.

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Additional Resources:

Somewhere Toward Freedom: Sherman's March and the Story of America's Largest Emancipation by Bennett Parten

Emancipation Proclamation (1863) | National Archives

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And if you like this episode, you might also love:

Why Did America Ban Slavery?

How Did Slavery Impact Cherokee Nation?

Who is Frederick Douglass?

What Does Kindred Tell Us About Plantation Life?

Who is Harriet Tubman?

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Hosted by Liam Heffernan, America: The Story of the USA is a deep and ongoing conversation about the forces that have shaped the nation. This isn't just a history lesson; it's an exploration of how the past directly informs today's headlines and cultural shifts. Each episode brings together a remarkable range of voices, from Nobel laureates and acclaimed historians to veteran journalists, to dissect pivotal moments and current events with nuance and depth. You'll hear discussions that connect the dots between a centuries-old political decision and a modern social movement, or examine a breaking news story through the lens of long-standing cultural patterns. The aim is to provide a richer, more connected understanding of the American experience in all its complexity. By weaving together threads from history, politics, society, and culture, this podcast offers a comprehensive and thoughtful narrative. For those who want to look beyond the soundbites and understand the deeper currents running through the United States, this series serves as an essential and engaging resource. Tune in for a consistently insightful analysis that treats the American story as the living, evolving saga that it truly is.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

America: The Story of the USA
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