What was Lincoln s early position on slavery and war an why did he move emancipation?

Lincoln's early position on slavery was primarily one of containment; he sought to prevent its expansion into new territories rather than abolish it outright. Initially, he believed that preserving the Union was paramount and that war should focus on that goal. However, as the Civil War progressed and the need for a decisive strategy became clear, he recognized that emancipation could weaken the Confederacy, bolster the Union's moral stance, and allow for the enlistment of Black soldiers, leading to the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863.