Edward Ayers Interview: The Evolution of Abraham Lincoln's Thinking

Video Description

Historian Edward Ayers discusses Abraham Lincoln’s unlikely presidential election win, why the Deep South seceded, and the shared interest of the Union and the enslaved. Ayers describes the evolution of Lincoln’s thinking on Emancipation over the course of the American Civil War. Edward Ayers is an American historian, professor, administrator, and university president. He received a BA in American studies from the University of Tennessee and a doctorate in American studies from Yale University. He taught at the University of Virginia from 1980-2007, where he taught history and was Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. He was awarded the university’s highest honor, the Thomas Jefferson Award, in 2006. The following year he was elected president of the University of Richmond, serving until 2015 when he became the Tucker-Boatwright Professor of the Humanities. He has been recognized with the National Humanities Medal and served as the president of the Organization of American Historians. Ayers is the author of six books on the history of nineteenth-century America including The Promise of the New South: Life After Reconstruction (1992), which was a finalist for both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. In the Presence of Mine Enemies, Civil War in the Heart of America (2003) won the Bancroft Prize for distinguished writing in American history and the Beveridge Award for the best book in English on the history of the Americas since 1492. The Thin Light of Freedom: The Civil War and Emancipation in the Heart of America, was awarded the Lincoln Prize from the Gilder Lehrman Institute and the Avery O. Craven Award from the Organization of American Historians. The Apple TV+ series "Lincoln's Dilemma," features insights from journalists, educators and scholars, as well as rare archival materials, that offer a more nuanced look into the life of the Great Emancipator. Set against the background of the Civil War, "Lincoln's Dilemma" also gives voice to the narratives of enslaved people, shaping a more complete view of an America divided over issues including economy, race and humanity, and underscoring Lincoln's battle to save the country, no matter the cost. The series is narrated by award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright ("Angels in America") and features the voices of actor Bill Camp ("The Night Of") as Lincoln and Leslie Odom Jr. ("Hamilton") as Frederick Douglas. To view the entire series please visit: https://tv.apple.com/us/show/lincolns-dilemma/umc.cmc.7003fizrrxznfhz1s20vv7ewy Subscribe for access to interviews, series, films, and educational materials that address issues of social justice, history, politics, the arts, and culture by spotlighting relatable human stories of purpose and meaning. Learn about our work and how to support our mission here: https://www.lifestories.org/. For extended versions of these interviews and more, visit: https://www.youtube.com/@lifestoriesinterviewarchive Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifestoriesinterviews/ Chapter Markers: 00:00 - Introduction 03:22 - Lincoln’s principles 06:52 - The South’s apprehension about Lincoln 09:27 - Secession 14:22 - Lincoln’s strategy with Virginia 18:22 - Lincoln was not an abolitionist 22:37 - Lincoln’s response to the eruption of violence 31:18 - Lincoln’s evolution on the institution of slavery and of enslaved people 37:46 - Lincoln’s interpretation of the Constitution 40:02 - General Butler’s “contraband” policy 43:35 - The shared interests of the Union and the enslaved 49:03 - Lincoln’s faith in democracy 56:00 - Enslaved people’s perception of the Civil War 57:07 - The role of Frederick Douglass 59:11 - Lincoln’s explanation and rationalization of the war as “God’s purpose” 1:02:37 - The evolution of Lincoln’s thinking on Emancipation 1:04:33 - The principal message of the Gettysburg Address 1:06:50 - The 1864 election 1:12:33 - Lincoln’s political calculus of the 13th Amendment 1:15:56 - The evolving legacy of Lincoln 1:18:31 - Historical perspective on Lincoln’s achievements 1:19:17 - Black Americans’ deeper understanding of freedom 1:21:56 - Reactions to Lincoln’s assassination Edward Ayers, Historian Interview Date: December 02, 2020 Interviewed by: Jackie Olive and Barak Goodman © Apple Video Programming, LLC. All Rights Reserved. #EdwardAyers #kunhardtfilmfoundation