Americans are constantly faced with the stereotype of not knowing their history. According to a study by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, “More than 2,500 randomly selected Americans took ISI’s basic 33-question test on civic literacy and 71 percent of them received an average score of 49 percent, or an ‘F’.”

The study also pointed out, “Only half of U.S. adults can name all three branches of government, and just 54 percent know that the power to declare war belongs to Congress.”

With these issues in mind, there are historical misconceptions that college students should aim to debunk. This series will attempt to cover different periods and epochs and dispel these misunderstandings.

MISCONCEPTION 1: LINCOLN WAS AN ABOLITIONIST

One of the main myths regards Lincoln’s image as being the Great Emancipator. While Lincoln did resolve the issue of slavery in the United States, it’s a misconception to state that it was his first priority at the onset of the American Civil War. Lincoln is quoted as saying, “If I could preserve the Union by freeing none of the slaves I would do it; if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slavery and the colored race, I do because I believe it helps to save the Union.”

MISCONCEPTION 2: THE CIVIL WAR WAS ABOUT ENDING SLAVERY

The notion that the Civil War was only about ending slavery is incorrect, as there were other explanations including states’ rights and balancing tariffs which favored Northern industries, but hurt Southern plantations. The significance of each of these factors has been debated. Some historians such as James McPherson argue that, “Of all these interpretations, the states’-rights argument is perhaps the weakest. It fails to ask the question, states’ rights for what purpose? States’ rights, or sovereignty, was always more a means than an end, an instrument to achieve a certain goal more than a principle.”

MISCONCEPTION 3: THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION’S SOLE PURPOSE WAS TO FREE SLAVES

The Emancipation Proclamation’s main purpose was not just to free slaves, but was a calculated move on the part of the Union to discredit the South. According to ThinkQuest, “The South was hurt by the Emancipation Proclamation because it discouraged France and Britain from entering the war.”