Abraham+Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln " A Man of Many Hats"

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Introduction
 When you think of Abraham Lincoln very distinct pictures and thoughts come to your mind. He was the president who freed the slaves; he was tall and wore a top hat. However, there was much more to the man than meets the eye. Abraham was a brilliant man whose strategies, speeches and ideas were beyond his time and possibly ours. But how can a boy born to minimally literate parents in a log cabin become one of the most remember and treasured poets of the 19th and 20th centuries? He was a man whose morals drove him and mind led him. Even today Lincoln is still treasured; by Republicans and Democrats alike. Below is a video shown at the 2008 Republican National Convention. This video is bias as most tributes are, but it gives a good overview of Abraham Lincoln.

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"Honest Abe" - Personal Life and Youth
Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12th, 1809 in a log cabin near Hodgenville, Kentucky. His father was Thomas Lincoln of Virginia; a middle-class carpenter who was well respected by his neighbors. His mother was Nancy Hanks of Virginia. When Abraham was seven years old Thomas Lincoln packed up the family the family to a small farm in [|Pigeon Creek, Indiana]. There he and his father built his [|famous log cabin]. When Abraham was 10 years old his mother passed away. One year late his father married [|Sarah Bush]. Sarah Bush had three other children, which she had brought with her. However, Abraham Lincoln adores her and soon called her “mama”. Up to this point in time he had had little schooling. Sarah Bush saw his potential and taught him how to read, write his name, and do simple math. Resources for learning were very scarce, but Lincoln made do and books from neighbors. The only book his family owned was the Bible. Both of his parents belonged to a Baptist church, which had split off from a larger parish, because Lincoln’s group refused to condone slavery.



In 1828, Lincoln took his first trip to [|New Orleans]on a flatboat cargo ship. When he arrived Lincoln was utterly appalled at the sight he saw. Thousands of slaves were being forced to work. Blacks were being sold like animals. He always knew slavery existed but never to this extent. Lincoln grew up in a household where slavery was morally wrong. The extreme differences made his views on slavery even stronger. Upon return from New Orleans, Lincoln handed his father the twenty-five dollars he had made and didn’t say a word.

In 1830 the Lincolns packed up again and moved. They bounced around a bit before settling in [|New Salem, Illinois]. The citizens of New Salem always came to Lincoln for legal advice though he no law schooling whatsoever. In New Salem, Abraham Lincoln dabbled in a bit of everything. First, he volunteered to serve in the [|Black Hawk War] against the Indians. This is where he developed his leadership skills. Lincoln saw little of the Indians and little battle as well. Lincoln served a year before being honorably discharged. He opened a store, which failed a year later. He also worked as the town’s surveyor. Lincoln was most appreciated though for his time as the town’s postmaster. While in this occupation Lincoln would go beyond what was expected to help people. For instance, if someone forgot their mail he would walk several miles to deliver it to them. This is where Lincoln got his nickname “Honest Abe”.

In 1840 Abraham Lincoln met [|Mary Todd]. They were the perfect couple; they both loved reading poetry and both could identify with the [|Whigs]. However, Lincoln was scared of marriage and broke off their relationship. He sank into a depression and his friends thought he might have been suicidal. A few weeks later, a friend reintroduced them at a party. Despite the fact that Mary Todd’s father was a wealthy plantation owner, Lincoln still went through with the marriage and in November of 1842 they were wed. Lincoln and his wife had a good marriage. Although sometimes Mary Todd Lincoln said she felt ignored when Abraham Lincoln wanted to read. The two had four children. The first son was born on August 1st 1843. He was named [|Robert Todd Lincoln] after his maternal grandfather. Robert Todd Lincoln was the only one of Lincoln’s four sons to live past his teenage years. Robert Todd Lincoln followed in his father’s footsteps into the profession of law and became Secretary of War under [|James Garfield] and the [|United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom] under [|Benjamin Harrison]. Robert Todd Lincoln died July 26th 1926. The couple’s second son was named [|Edward Baker Lincoln] and was born on March 20th 1846. “Eddie” died on February 1st 1850 of tuberculosis. The Lincoln’s had their fourth son [|William “Willie” Wallace Lincoln] was born on December 21st of the same year. However, he dies on February 20th 1862 of a fever. The Lincoln’s fourth son was named [|Thomas “Tad” Lincoln] after his paternal grandfather. “Tad” was also loved around the White House. He and his friends would often come into a cabinet meeting while playing games. Thomas Lincoln died on July 15th 1871 at age 18 most likely of tuberculosis.

All of these deaths did not have a good affect on Mary Todd Lincoln. She was rumored to be mentally unstable; dealing with deep depression, she was also rumored to have attempted suicide.

"The Law and LIncoln" Abraham Lincoln's Political and Legal Journey
 Abraham Lincoln started giving people legal advice and creating simple law documents in New Salem before he even went to law school. In 1832 however Lincoln ran for [|State Legislator of Illinois]. He ran as an anti-Jackson Whig and lost; coming in 8th of the thirteen candidates. However, he won four times in a row in 1834, 1836, 1838 and 1840. While he was serving in the State Legislature he was also studying law and earning his law license on the side. In 1846 Lincoln was nominated for the Whig candidate in a primarily Whig district and won his seat in the[| U.S. House of Representatives]. While in Congress, he argued against the spread of slavery and the [|Mexican-American War] because the land gained would probably become states open to slavery. Lincoln’s proposal’s never passed in Congress, but they raised mixed reactions back in Illinois. The Whigs cheered him on, but other people questioned his patriotism. Lincoln only served one term in Congress, but went home and focused on his law practice and forgot about politics a moment.

When the Kansas- Nebraska Act of 1854 was passed Lincoln was right back into politics. This act violated is Free Soil principles. The Kansas-Nebraska Act split the Whig party in two. Lincoln joined the anti-slavery [|Republican Party]. In 1855 he ran for a [|U.S. Senate] seat and was defeated. Lincoln may have won if the people of Illinois had elected him; he won nearly every vote in New Salem. However, up until 1913 all U.S. Senators of Illinois were appointed by State Legislator.

In 1858 Sen. [|Stephen Douglas] was running for reelection. The Republicans believed Lincoln was the only force strong enough to beat him so the proposed a debate. In the debate Douglas made fun of Lincoln for being so tall. He called him a monster. He threw false accusations at Lincoln such as approving inter-marriage between white and blacks. However, Lincoln remained cool and responded in such a way that nothing else could be said against him the topics a hand. This debate got much attention around the country. However the Senators were still chose by legislator and Douglas won. Many said that Lincoln should run for president but Lincoln said in return “I do not see myself fit for Presidency.” He said however that he would run against Douglas for the Senate seat in 1864.

"The War Before the War" The Election of 1860
However, as the [|Election of 1860] drew nearer Lincoln rethought his original idea. Lincoln would run for the Republican candidate. He won on the third ballot and made only one campaign apperence. He appeared in a rally in Springfield, Illinois. That February he traveled to the northeast. He gave a speech at the Cooper Institute in New York City. He did not add anything new to his political platforms but merely stated and explained them. The Northern papers praised him but the south viewed him as an abolitionist. In the general election there were four candidates, [|John Breckenridge] who revived seventy-two electoral votes, [|John Bell] who received thirty-nine electoral votes and his formal rival Stephen Douglas who received just twelve electoral votes. Lincoln himself won the election with one hundred and eighty electoral votes. In the south he did not even appear on the ballot, therefore he won with only forty percent of popular vote. During the campaigning Lincoln was again mocked for his appearance and political platforms but once again Lincoln stood strong. Lincoln election was the final straw for a lot of Southern states and starting with South Carolina they started to succeed one by one…



"The South Started It" - Lincoln In The Begining of The Civil War​
If there was going to be a war Lincoln wanted the South to start it and they did. On April 12th 1861 Confederate troops opened fire on [|Fort Sumter]. This was a bloodless battle; the only casualty was a confederate horse. This battle however was no indication of the war to come; the bloodiest war in American history. On July 21st 1861 Confederate troops defeated Union troops at [|Bull Run] in Virginia. Therefore Lincoln replaces his current field commander with [|Gen. George B. McClellan]. Only a few weeks late, McClellan was in charge of all Union troops. Lincoln got angry at McClellan from time to time because McClellan thought so highly of himself he would not obey Lincoln’s orders. On the [|Seven Days Pennsylvania Campaign McClellan] won six out of the seven battles; but retreated every time. Lincoln relived McClellan of duty, only to replace him again. Although Lincoln said he would do everything it takes to bring the Union back together, whether it be to free salves, free none, or free some. Lincoln needed to free the slaves to show other countries such as England and France that the Civil War was about slavery, and therefore the other countries would not interfere. But Lincoln needed a victory to make such a proclamation and the [|Battle of Antietam] gave him that. The Battle was nearly a draw but since McClellan stopped the Southern General [|Robert E. Lee] from invading it was considered a victory for the North. McClellen could have ended the war right there if he had not been so cautious.

The Emancipation Proclamation
The Emancipation Proclamation was an ingenious document that not only benifited Lincoln’s overall goal; to keep the Union together, but also freed the slaves of the United States. In order for the North to win the war it needed to be established that the American Civil War was about slavery. If this was established then other countries such as England and France could not openly support the South. The Emancipation Proclamation had two key components to it. The first point is that the Emancipation Proclamation was written in September 22nd 1862 however this was law did not take effect until January 1st 1863. The second part was that only slaves in states in rebellion (Confederacy/South) would be set free. This kept the Border States from succeeding because if they did they would lose their slaves. As the Union took over each Confederate state on by one they could enforce this law. Then when the whole country was united again the Amendment could pass to abolish slavery all over the United States. A transcript of the Emancipation Proclamtion below:

**The Emancipation Proclamation** January 1, 1863 A Transcription By the President of the United States of America: A Proclamation. Whereas, on the twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, to wit: "That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom. "That the Executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof, respectively, shall then be in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day be, in good faith, represented in the Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such State shall have participated, shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such State, and the people thereof, are not then in rebellion against the United States." Now, therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-Chief, of the Army and Navy of the United States in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion, do, on this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days, from the day first above mentioned, order and designate as the States and parts of States wherein the people thereof respectively, are this day in rebellion against the United States, the following, to wit: Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, (except the Parishes of St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James Ascension, Assumption, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including the City of New Orleans) Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, (except the forty-eight counties designated as West Virginia, and also the counties of Berkley, Accomac, Northampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Ann, and Norfolk, including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth[)], and which excepted parts, are for the present, left precisely as if this proclamation were not issued. And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons. And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages. And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service. And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh. By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN

WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

Courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration. http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/transcript.html

Yes General, No General - Lincoln's Constant Struggle To Find The Right General
After the victory at Antietam, General George McClellan refused to follow orders once again. This time Lincoln had enough and permanently relieved him from duty. He was replaced by [|General Ambrose Burnside]. Burnside may have been a good general had it not been for the situation at hand. Since McClellan was so overly cautious, Burnside wanted to prove he was nothing like McClellan and therefore he was overly “brave” and went into battle with no restraints and no reasoning. After a devastating loss at Fredericksburg, Burnside was replaced with [|General Joseph “Fighting Joe” Hooker]. After Hooker failed he was replaced with [|General George Mead], followed by [|Ulysses S. Grant]. In November of 1863 Ulysses S. Grant captured [|Vicksburg, Mississippi]. This victory split the Confederacy in two. The Mississippi River could no longer be a “Aquatic Highway” for supplies. The victory at Vicksburg gave the North a huge advantage and the South would soon crumble. General Robert E. Lee would not give up and attacked in southern Pennsylvania.

Gettysburg
After the Battle of Gettysburg in which so many lives were lost; Lincoln knew he needed to address the subject at hand. Although the North had won the Battle and had permanently grasped control of the Civil War, Lincoln saw each individual solider not as a number but as a life lost to the battle against slavery. On November of 1864 Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address: “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met here on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense we can not dedicate - we can not consecrate - we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled, here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have, thus far, so nobly carried on. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. ”

Courtesy of http://americancivilwar.com/north/lincoln.html

This address only further shows what an intellectual person Abraham Lincoln was and how he could manipulate words in such a fashion to have the most powerful effect.

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
On April 11th 1865 Lincoln gave the speech that would kill him. In this speech Lincoln shared his platforms on African-Americans voting; in which he said he was in favor of. [|John Wilkes Booth] was in that crowd that say and decided he would kidnap the president and kill the [|Secretary of State William H. Seward] and [|Vice-President Andrew Johnson]. On April 14th 1865 the Lincolns planned to attend a production of ”[|Our American Cousin"] at the [|Ford Theatre]. However, Mary Todd Lincoln said that she had a headache and that they should not go. President Lincoln insisted there would be too many important people there and that they must go. So they went. During the second act Booth enter the president’s box and shot him in the head; three inches from his left ear. Then Booth leaped from the President’s box onto the stage below and screamed “[|Sic Semper Tyrinnis]” (Thus Always to Tyrants- The Virginia State Motto). The audience thought it was part of the performance. Lincoln was carried to a [|boardinghouse] across the street from the theatre and was laid on a bed much to small for his large frame. The President died the next morning shortly after seven ‘oclock in the morning.