Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

Which historical figure issued the Emancipation Proclamation?

1. James Buchanan

2. Andrew Johnson

3. Abraham Lincoln

4. William Tecumseh Sherman

The correct answer is: Abraham Lincoln

The Emancipation Proclamation was issued by Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, during the American Civil War. This pivotal document declared that all enslaved people in Confederate states were to be set free. Lincoln's decision to issue the proclamation was not only a strategic military move to weaken the Confederacy by destabilizing its labor force but also a moral stance that aimed to align the war's goals with the principles of freedom and human rights. Although the other figures mentioned played significant roles during the Civil War era, they did not issue the Emancipation Proclamation. James Buchanan was the president before Lincoln and his administration is often criticized for its inability to effectively address the tensions leading to the Civil War. Andrew Johnson succeeded Lincoln and faced the challenges of Reconstruction but did not play a direct role in proclaiming emancipation. William Tecumseh Sherman was a Union general known for his military campaigns, particularly his "March to the Sea," but he was not involved in issuing the proclamation. Therefore, Abraham Lincoln stands out as the historical figure responsible for this landmark decree, emphasizing his commitment to the cause of freedom in America.