We all have experiences with how perception often overrides reality. What appears to be true is much more appealing than what is true.
As I read Team of Rivals by Doris Goodwin, I was continually struck by how our perception of the events of the day are far different than the reality.
The latest reality check was around the Emancipation Proclamation — a historic document and key turning point in the move to end slavery. We all learned in school how this document declared that slaves will be free. And Lincoln looks like an extraordinary hero (which he still was) for writing this document and putting the process in place.
What is not discussed is the cause of this document — namely military necessity, nor moral indignation or righteous anger. The South was using slaves to man key military support functions, freeing up their soldiers to do battle — in essence greatly expanding the size of their army.
To counter this, Lincoln pursued the freeing of slaves to fight in the Union army. Had the South kept the slaves on the farm, it is very unlikely that the proclamation would have ever happened during Lincoln’s tenure.
So, are we taught that Lincoln was the ultimate pragmatic statesman and world leader — much more Metternich than Ghandi? We yearn for Ghandi figures, but we are often best led by Lincolns and Metternichs.