They wanted to extend slavery to the western territories as well. During that time, President Lincoln, a fellow Republican whose most favored followers are believed to have been white, supported outlawing slavery. Lincoln not only wanted to abolish slavery, but also issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which included and allowed blacks to fight with the Union. To strengthen the Union and overthrow the Confederacy. “The proclamation also authorized the recruitment of freed slaves and free blacks as Union soldiers; during the next two and a half years, 180,000 of them fought in the Union Army and 10,000 in the Navy, making vital contributions to the Union victory and to their own freedom.” (History.com) Lincoln, a president and a white man, as well as members of his congress fought for this right for all