Bill of Rights Institute's video: Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation in Art BRIdge From the Past

Why is the Emancipation Proclamation such a significant document in U.S. history, and how can an image manifest this? In this episode of BRIdge From the Past, Mary explores a lithograph of Abraham Lincoln writing the Emancipation Proclamation. Printed in 1863, the lithograph depicts the commander-in-cheif’s challenging task of wording the Emancipation Proclamation with what he called “an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity.” What symbolic details in this lithograph showcase Lincoln’s struggles drafting the Emancipation Proclamation? What does the image tell us about how he strategically and constitutionally justified his action? BRIdge from the Past: Art Across U.S. History is a YouTube series for students that explores an important historic image every episode to gain insights into the culture, politics, and society of a particular time in U.S. history. Host Mary Patterson will explain how each primary source is its own "window to the past," revealing new areas for contemplation and discussion. BRIdge from the Past Emancipation Proclamation Handout: https://bri-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/Emancipation+Proclamation.pdf Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation: https://billofrightsinstitute.org/essays/abraham-lincoln-and-emancipation Monuments and Historical Narratives: The Freedman’s Memorial | BRIdge from the Past: https://billofrightsinstitute.org/videos/monuments-and-historical-narratives-the-freedmans-memorial-bridge-from-the-past About the Bill of Rights Institute: Established in September 1999, the Bill of Rights Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization that works to engage, educate, and empower individuals with a passion for the freedom and opportunity that exist in a free society. The Institute develops educational resources and programs for a network of more than 50,000 educators and 70,000 students nationwide. Official Site: http://billofrightsinstitute.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BillofRightsInstitute Twitter: https://twitter.com/brinstitute Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brinstitute/ BRI Educator Newsletter Sign Up Page: https://billofrightsinstitute.org/newsletter-signup