In some instances, Lincoln used racially insensitive language, especially in the context of the time. His views on race evolved throughout his life, but he was not immune to the racial prejudices of his era.
During the Civil War, Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus, allowing for the arrest and detention of individuals without trial.
While the Emancipation Proclamation is celebrated for its role in ending slavery, it had limitations.
Lincoln's administration was involved in policies that negatively impacted Native Americans, including the forced removal of tribes from their ancestral lands.
Lincoln's administration suppressed newspapers and arrested editors who expressed dissenting views on the Civil War. This raised concerns about freedom of the press.
Lincoln initially expressed a willingness to compromise on the issue of slavery to preserve the Union. The Emancipation Proclamation came later in the war and was motivated, in part, by military strategy.
Some critics argue that Lincoln's actions during the Civil War, such as the suspension of habeas corpus, set a precedent for future presidents to infringe on civil liberties during times of crisis.