Outline for Research Paper

Thesis:  Lincoln’s decisions to lead the nation into Civil War and issue the Emancipation Proclamation were direct results of his idea of a “political religion” and his view of Christianity. 

Outline:

I. Introduction

II. Lincoln’s view of religion and an investigation of his personal faith.

III. How Lincoln’s views of religion and government combine to make the idea of “political religion” and how this idea led Lincoln to engage the Confederacy in war. 

IV. An examination of how Abraham Lincoln viewed Blacks and slavery throughout his political career. I will conclude this section by explaining the role that Christianity and political/military necessities played in Lincoln’s decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation.

V. Conclusion