That is inaccurate. Slaves were contraband and not usually returned to confederate masters early in the war. If you are talking about northern and border state slaves it also wouldn't make sense because they would return those escaped slaves throughout the war. Just normal bad history from Tolstoy.

But responding to what tolstoy said, I don't see much of a populist streak in Abraham Lincoln's presidency. But who knows what he would have done in peacetime

*what thucy said

"If you are talking about northern and border state slaves"

I was.

"it also wouldn't make sense because they would return those escaped slaves throughout the war."

I knew this was the case in the early years of the war, but wasn't 100% sure if the policy continued without change for the duration of the war. I decided to keep my wording limited to what I knew to be true instead of what I was just 'pretty sure' was true because I knew you'd show up and engage in childish "gotcha" nit-picking if anything I stated was the slightest bit inaccurate.

"But who knows what he would have done in peacetime"

Well, judging by the cornerstone achievements of his presidency that weren't war-related (the Transcontinental Railroad and the Homestead Act), he probably would've raised taxes to pay railroad companies by the mile for lots of meandering and poorly constructed railroads and killed a bunch more Indians to make more room for more white settlers in the west.

"If you are talking about northern and border state slaves"

'I was."


Well, you were, you are STILL wrong, because slaves in the border states had to wait 5 years. You were obviously talking about the south, but whatever.

""it also wouldn't make sense because they would return those escaped slaves throughout the war.'

'I knew this was the case in the early years of the war, but wasn't 100% sure if the policy continued without change for the duration of the war. I decided to keep my wording limited to what I knew to be true instead of what I was just 'pretty sure' was true because I knew you'd show up and engage in childish "gotcha" nit-picking if anything I stated was the slightest bit inaccurate."

Historical facts can be so inconvenient to a confederate sympathizing Libertarian.

Freeing the slaves isn't populist enough for you? Lmao

No. In the context of the time, id say it wasn't at all.

lmao

If by that you mean the slaves couldn't vote, I don't give a shit. True populism means acting on behalf of the entire populace, regardless of who is enfranchised. I posted the quote because I agree with Lincoln's "idea of democracy." Do you?

I think Abe could win Diplomacy by telling you about a stab a year before he does it. Hes the Chuck Norris of presidents.