...Abraham Lincoln Lawrence Bays Axia The University of Phoenix HIS/115 Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president for the United States of America. He was considered on of the greatest presidents because of his fight and success in getting rid of slavery. Before Lincoln was president he was a self-thought lawyer from Illinois. Lincoln was president from March 1861 until his assassination by Johns Wilkes Booth in April 1865. Abraham Lincoln had many views on slavery and not a lot of people know exactly what they were. Lincoln did believe that slavery was morally wrong, but there was one big problem: It was sanctioned by the highest law in the land, the Constitution. The nation’s founding fathers, who also struggled with how to address slavery, did not explicitly write the word “slavery” in the Constitution, but they did include key clauses protecting the institution, including a fugitive slave clause and the three-fifths clause, which allowed Southern states to count slaves for the purposes of representation in the federal government. In a three-hour speech in Peoria, Illinois, in the fall of 1854, Lincoln presented more clearly than ever his moral, legal and economic opposition to slavery—and then admitted he didn’t know exactly what should be done about it within the current political system. Lincoln didn’t believe blacks should have the same rights as whites. Though Lincoln argued that the founding fathers’ phrase “All men are created equal” applied to...
Words: 693 - Pages: 3
...President Abraham Lincoln appointed the best and brightest to his Cabinet, individuals who were also some of his greatest political rivals. He demonstrated his leadership by pulling this group together into a unique team that represented the greatest minds of his time, according to historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. Lincoln demonstrated an ability to withstand adversity and to move forward in the face of frustration, said Kearns Goodwin, a keynote speaker at SHRM’s 2008 Annual Conference in Chicago. She identified 10 qualities that made Lincoln a great leader. Ten qualities Kearns Goodwin believes we should look for in our present day leaders. Capacity to Listen to Different Points of View While researching her Pulitzer Prize winning book, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, Kearns Goodwin learned that Lincoln had the capacity to listen to different points of view. He created a climate where Cabinet members were free to disagree without fear of retaliation. At the same time, he knew when to stop the discussion and after listening to the various opinions, make a final decision. Ability to Learn on the Job Lincoln was able to acknowledge errors, learn from them, and then move. In this way, he established a culture of learning in his administration, said Kearns Goodwin. Ready Willingness to Share Credit for Success In response to concerns expressed by friends about the actions of some of his Cabinet members, Lincoln stated that the "path to success and ambition...
Words: 890 - Pages: 4
...Stephen A. Douglas, Lawyer, Legislator, Register and Judge: 1833-1843 Part 2 Douglas did not allow his duties as Register of the Land Office e to interfere with his interest in politics his law practice or speculation in lots in Springfield, Bloomington, Clinton and other owns in central Illinois. He attended the Sangamon and Morgan courts during their three sessions each year and all the courts of the First Circuit in September and October, 1837. He formed a law partnership with john d. urquhar in Springfield in April, 1838. Writing to Levi Woodbury, secretary of the treasury, October 6, 1837, Douglas declared that he had attended no political meetings since his appointment as register seven months before. However, he expected to attend such meetings in the future. A week later, the Whig sangamo journal accused Douglas of working toward a nomination for congress, but concluded that “electioneering was one of the implied duties of a government officer” His plans for nomination to congress by a convention of carefully selected delegates were then maturing. When the convention, with delegates from approximately half of the thirty-four countries of the third district, met at Peoria on November 20, he was nominated by acclamation. His vigorous campaign during the first seven months of 1838, over an area of some 25,000 square miles, cannot be treated here in detail. Traveling much of the time in company with john t. Stuart, his Whig opponent, he spoke once in each of the thirty-four...
Words: 3427 - Pages: 14
...historical figures: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, steered the Union to victory in the American Civil War and abolished slavery, and the first and only president of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis. Abraham Lincoln was the President of the Union, and Jefferson Davis struggled to lead the Confederacy to independence in the U.S. Civil War. Lincoln was treasured by the African Americans and was considered an earthly incarnation of the Savior of mankind (DeGregorio 20-25). On the other hand, Davis was both admired and hated. Lincoln had a different view of how the U.S. should be in abolishing slavery. Davis was a politician, president of the Confederate States of America, and also a successful planter. He had beliefs for the South to continue in the old ways with slavery and plantations. Both Lincoln and Davis had strong feelings for the protection of their land (Arnold 55-57). Both Abraham and Jefferson Davis shared several differences and similarities. Lincoln was known to have an easy going and joking type attitude. In contrast, Davis had a temper such that when challenged, he simply could not back down (DeGregorio 89). Davis had been a fire-eater before Abraham Lincoln's election, but the prospect of Civil War made him gloomy and depressed. Fifty- three years old in 1861, he suffered from a variety of ailments such as fever, neuralgia, and inflamed eye, poor digestion, insomnia, and stress. Lincoln also suffered from illnesses...
Words: 459 - Pages: 2
...A true American Hero: Abraham Lincoln Introductions Paragraph: There are many presidents who could be called a hero, but there is really only a few who are true heroes. A true hero is strong, courageous, brave, and heroic. They are determined and fearless often putting themself in danger to save others. But a hero does not just save someone, they also stand up for what is right, fair, they fight injustice no matter what the cost is to them. The hero I chose to write about had all these qualities., Abraham Lincoln. America needed a hero and Abraham Lincoln steeped up and became that hero. The hero Abraham Lincoln who stood up and fought for what he believed in, who was brave, courages and heroic . Body Paragraph 1: A hero, the person who stands out from all the rest, not because of what they have or look like but because of what they are made up of. The main quality a hero has is that they act regardless of being scared or not they stand up and do what needs to be done. They also have great courage when face with a situation and are often unstoppable while defending those in need. Lastly a hero has selfless and a willingness to whatever is called for in a situation with out looking for glory. A hero needs these characteristics in order to truly act out of heroism and not for recognition. Body Paragraph 2: Abraham Lincoln struggled hard to make a living and study law. His mother died when he was ten years old. He lived as a farmer and worked low paying jobs. He...
Words: 596 - Pages: 3
...Abraham Lincoln was a man of honor and a very important figure in the history of America. He greatly impacted the Civil war and changed America forever. He was a very aggressive politician and lawyer, and fought for unity among America. He won the civil war and helped to free the slaves. His childhood life, however, was certainly not easy and simple. He went through harsh childhood times and his youth definitely influenced his life when he was older, and affected his relationships with other people. Many say that he battled severe cases of depression as well as potential suicidal tendencies. He did an excellent job of being able to separate his personal life from his professional life. Through his rough personal life, his successes and failures as a politician, and by gradually becoming the greatest abolitionist of his time by the end of his presidency, even though he faced many hardships in his life, Lincoln demonstrates that he was, in fact, the best man for the job in 1860. Lincoln had a really tough personal life. He had quite a few losses as a child, such as his mother and his sister who passes away when he was very little. These deaths of the two most important women in his life emotionally affected him in an unfortunate way. Because of his lack of education, this made Lincoln have the desire to be educated, so he even taught himself. He taught himself law and jbecame an attorney. This shows how dedicated Lincoln is as a person. Dedication is one of the most important qualities...
Words: 538 - Pages: 3
...Abraham Lincoln On the stormy morning of Sunday, February 12, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, wife of Thomas, gave birth to a boy. He was born on a bed of poles covered with corn husks. The baby was named Abraham after his grandfather. In 1811 the Lincolns moved to a farm on Knob Creek which was also near Hodgenville. In 1811 or 1812, Abraham's younger brother, Thomas, died in infancy. Abraham spent a short amount of time in a log schoolhouse. He began to learn his ABC's from a teacher named Zachariah Riney. He attended school with his sister, Sarah. Late in 1816 the Lincoln family moved to southern Indiana and settled near present day Gentryville. A cabin was constructed near Little Pigeon Creek. It measured 16 X 18 feet, and it had one window. Abraham's mother, Nancy, passed away on October 5th, 1818, she died of milk sickness. In 1819, Abraham would barrow books from his neighbors to read. In 1821 Abraham attended school taught by James Swaney for about 4 months. Also in 1824 Abraham attended school taught by Azel Dorsey. In 1827 Abraham's sister, Sarah died giving birth to her son. In 1831, Lincoln decided to leave his family and go off on his own. In July he moved to New Salem, Illinois, where he boarded at Rutledge's tavern and became acquainted with the owner's daughter, Ann. New Salem was a frontier village consisting of one long street on a bluff over the Sangamon River. On August 6th, 1832 Lincoln was defeated while running for the Illinois State Legislature...
Words: 825 - Pages: 4
...top of the list stood Abraham Lincoln. He was followed by Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Woodrow Wilson, and Harry Truman. None of these other Presidents exceeded Lincoln in any category according to the rate scale. Roosevelt fell into second place because he did not measure up to Lincoln in character. Washington, close behind, ranked third because of his lesser political skills. It is the general opinion of pollsters, moreover, that the average American would probably put Lincoln at the top as well. In other words, the judgment of historians and the public tells us that Abraham Lincoln was the nation's greatest President by every measure applied. Interestingly, had the average Union citizen been asked the same question in the spring of 1863, there can be no doubt but that Lincoln would have fared poorly. Not much more could have been said for him even a year later, when Lincoln thought that he would lose his bid for reelection. It would take Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse and his own death a week later to propel Lincoln into the pantheon of presidential greatness. And Lincoln's canonization began almost immediately. Within days of his death, his life was being compared to Jesus Christ. Lincoln was portrayed to a worshipping public as a self-made man, the liberator of the slaves, and the savior of the Union who had given his life so that others could be free. President Lincoln became Father Abraham, a near...
Words: 938 - Pages: 4
...name, one man who stands above all the rest. Abraham Lincoln has come to define the American experience. His beginnings as a poor farmer in Kentucky to his rise in politics to his Presidency, his story fascinates everyone who reads and studies it. Abraham Lincoln is the epitome of what America is. He is Americas most cherished and beloved President and he may be the most well known American President in the world. Despite all the praise bestowed upon Abraham Lincoln there are those who do not buy into the ‘official’ Lincoln legacy. A small, but growing group of Lincoln detractors claim that Lincoln was not the father of freedom and liberty, the great emancipator and the savior of the union; they see Lincoln as a diabolical dictator. A man who took advantage of America in its darkest hour, a man who had no respect for the Constitution, he instead sought to destroy and undermine it every chance he got. Abraham Lincoln was President during America’s darkest hour; he saved the union and kept the country together. Lincoln was justified in the actions he took, despite attempts to paint Lincoln as a tyrannical dictator there is no question that Lincoln’s status as America’s greatest President is deserved and true. During his Presidency Lincoln met fierce opposition. This is not uncommon among Presidents; they are commonly held in higher regard after they leave office than when they are in office. However, the opposition Lincoln met tended to be intense and passionate. His policies...
Words: 3657 - Pages: 15
...Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in a log cabin in the Kentucky wilderness. When be was a little boy his Grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War. He had a little sister by the name of Sarah. As he went to school he met a boy by the name of Austin. They instantly became friends more so best of friends. At first Abe wasn't allowed to go to school because he didn't have a good pair of britches. In his pastime he loved to read. When Abe was eleven, his mother died of what they called "milk sick" which occurred from drinking unpasteurized milk. That was four years after they moved to a new farm in southern Indiana. He had to live in an open shed throughout the winter. The same year his mother died, his father remarried. He married Sarah Bush Johnson. She brought three kids and a cousin Dennis Hanks. When Abe was nineteen, he worked as a boatman and make his first trip down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, the center of the slave trade. When Abe was twenty-one, he moved with his family to Illinois. However Abe's brother Thomas didn't make it to Illinois because he died of influenza. Soon after Abe made his second trip on the flatboat to New Orleans to defend the blacks and fight slavery. Abe served as a captain in the Black Hawk War and was defeated. Abe came back to Illinois and not long after was elected to the State Legislature and soon became one of the most promising young Whig party leaders. When Abe was thirty-three, he...
Words: 1226 - Pages: 5
...Abraham Lincoln Through the course of American history there are names that stand out, names that represent more than just a person, but represent an era in American history. The list of important and influential figures in American history is too long and numerous to list. Yet there is always one name, one man who stands above all the rest. Abraham Lincoln has come to define the American experience. His beginnings as a poor farmer in Kentucky to his rise in politics to his Presidency, his story fascinates everyone who reads and studies it. Abraham Lincoln is the epitome of what America is. He is Americas most cherished and beloved President and he may be the most well-known American President in the world. Despite all the praise bestowed upon Abraham Lincoln there are those who do not buy into the ‘official’ Lincoln legacy. A small, but growing group of Lincoln detractors claim that Lincoln was not the father of freedom and liberty, the great emancipator and the savior of the union; they see Lincoln as a diabolical dictator. A man who took advantage of America in its darkest hour, a man who had no respect for the Constitution, he instead sought to destroy and undermine it every chance he got. Abraham Lincoln was President during America’s darkest hour; he saved the union and kept the country together. Lincoln was justified in the actions he took, despite attempts to paint Lincoln as a tyrannical dictator there is no question that Lincoln’s status as America’s greatest President...
Words: 3790 - Pages: 16
...2015 Lincoln and Slavery Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809. Lincoln became the 16th President of the United States. He served from March 1816 till he was assassinated in 1865. Abraham Lincoln led the country through what was known as the great constitutional, military, and moral crisis. The American Civil War was there to preserve the Union. Also to end an era of slavery and also promote economic and financial modernization. Abraham Lincoln opposed the expansion of slavery in his campaign debates and his many speeches. When Abraham Lincoln became a presidential candidate he became an enemy of the southern states. No southern states voted for him during election. This led to his election in 1860. After the declarations of secession by all of the southern slave states, the war started in 1861. Abraham Lincoln concentrated on both the military and political dimensions. This was done to try and reunify the nation. Lincoln was very strong about war powers. This would include the arrest and detention without trial of thousands of secessionists. In 1863 Abraham Lincoln passed his Emancipation of Proclamation act. This would speak on the passage of the thirteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution that would abolish slavery. During the Civil War the union army took control of the bordering slave states. They tried to capture the Confederate capital at Richmond. Each time they tried and a general did not complete the mission Lincoln would...
Words: 444 - Pages: 2
...Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809. His parents were Thomas and Nancy Lincoln. He was raised in a farm near Hodgenville, Kentucky. During his childhood Abraham was in the period of slavery, but the Lincoln family did not own any slaves, not only because they couldn’t afford it, but also his father Thomas did not approve of it. Later in 1816 the Lincoln family had to move to Indiana, near the Ohio River. Soon enough in 1818 Abraham’s mother, Nancy Lincoln, died of milk sickness. After the mother died, Thomas found a new wife named Sarah Bush Johnston. A few years later, the life in Indiana wasn’t as expected and the family had to move to Macon Country, Illinois. Abraham believed that he should be off by himself, and soon enough is what he did at the age of 23, and later he began his political career and became a member of the Whig party, and also a candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives. In 1832, after being fired from his job at a store, he decided to join the Illinois militia to help fight in the Black Hack war, and was chosen captain by his group. He served his country for 3 months, and it changed his life forever, because during the time he was in the militia, he saved an innocent Native American from being attacked from the other soldiers in the camp. When things were bad for him, he gave it his best to bring himself up again, and in 1834 Lincoln ran for state legislature, and in a few years he learned everything to become a lawyer and took an oath to...
Words: 1578 - Pages: 7
... Abraham Lincoln is one of the most important presidents of the United States. Lincoln was born in 1809 in a log cabin in the backwoods of Indiana. He is raised by his very humble and uneducated parents. When he was about seven years old he began to help his father build a farm out of what was known as a “wilderness” of the backwoods. Although he went to school for a few months, he mostly learned from personally studying to gain basic knowledge of reading, writing and mathematics. With the attitude to learn and achieve knowledge Lincoln was able to enter a legal profession at the age of 27. This would start his long journey to presidency. Out of everything I have learned about Abraham Lincoln there are three important things that should be known about him. The first thing is that Abraham Lincoln is known as the Great Emancipator because he on January 1st 1863 would issue an order that “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.” This is known as the Emancipation Proclamation. This would free African American slaves from within the confederacy and allow government recognize and maintain this freedom. This also opened the Unions intent to recruit African American soldiers. Fredrick Douglass would later describe Lincoln as “Swift, Zealous, radical and determined” to end slavery. The Second thing is that Lincoln built the...
Words: 550 - Pages: 3
...Prof. Juan Garner December 6, 2012 Book Review The book, “Abraham Lincoln and the second American Revolution” is mainly focused at the Civil War and how Lincoln was involved in most of the changes that happen during the War, For example the political and social issues, and the slaves that were liberated in the south. In this book McPherson tells us that president Lincoln was a conservative and a revolutionary. The War made Lincoln very popular because of his leadership ability and strategy. He is the most important president who fought to keep young stay whole. James McPherson best known for his prize winning book “Battle cry of Freedom,” which was the New York Times Book Review called one of top history writing. It is an account of the Civil War, which McPherson gathered in a sweep of events, which accounts the political, social, and culture aspects during the Civil War. In Abraham Lincoln and the Second Revolution, McPherson takes a different style of writing by offering a series of engaging essays on Lincoln and the Civil War that have rarely been discussed in such depth. McPherson displays his insight prose as he thoroughly examines the critical- themes of American history. He examines the President’s role as commander- in -chief of the Union forces explaining how Lincoln forged a national military strategy for victory. He exposes how Lincoln used parables and figurative language to communicate the purpose of the...
Words: 1037 - Pages: 5
