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Lincoln’S Vision Of Free Labor: Was Universal Opportunity, Education, And Economic Nationalism Enough To Enhance Freedmens’ Rights After The Civil War And Reconstruction?, Harry M. Hipler

Harry M Hipler

This paper will explore free labor, education, and universal opportunity – the latter being synonymous with equal opportunity – as described by Abraham Lincoln, and its connectivity to economic development and nationalism before, during, and after the Civil War era. First, I discuss Lincoln’s vision of free labor that defined his vision in 19th century America. Next, I explore the importance of universal opportunity and education as they relate to free labor as defined by white Republicans and Lincoln. The Republican Party and Lincoln strongly believed that free labor was the harbinger of success to obtain universal opportunity for all …