Why did Abraham Lincoln approach the issue of emancipation proclamation cautiously?

Answer 1

He didn't especially.

He wanted to issue it in July 1862, when Lee was on a winning streak, and the British were close to granting recognition to the Confederacy. This would be his means of heading them off, because they could not aid the South after that, without looking pro-slavery themselves.

But his cabinet told him that it would look like a desperate measure, and he would have to wait for a Union victory. This came (unexpectedly) in September, and then Lincoln promptly issued his Proclamation.

Answer 2

Because he wanted to issue it in Summer '62, when Lee was scoring his great run of victories, and the British Parliament was planning to grant recognition to the Confederacy and send military aid.

Once he issued the Proclamation, free nations abroad would not be able to support the South without looking pro-slavery themselves.

But Lincoln's cabinet pointed out that he could not issue his Proclamation during a string of defeats; it would look like a desperate measure.

So they had to wait for a Union victory before they could issue it with any credibility. This happened (unexpectedly, and by pure chance) in September. And he issued it, to take effect in January 1863, in case any Southern states wanted to quit the Confederacy and re-join the Union. (They didn't.)

Answer 3

He had to wait till there was a Northern victory (Antietam/Sharpsburg); otherwise it would have looked lke a desperate reaction to the sudden string of victories by Robert E.Lee.

Answer 4

Lincoln approached the issue of emancipation cautiously because he didn't want to anger politicians,since he wasn't liked and didn't want to start a violent war.