Abraham Lincoln

The 16th President of the United States

Overview

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 until his Assassination in 1865. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest leaders in American history, known for his strong leadership during the Civil War and his commitment to preserving the Union.

Early Life

Family and Childhood

Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky, to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. His father died when he was just three years old, leaving Abraham an orphan. He was raised by his grandparents, also named Lincoln, who taught him the importance of hard work and self-reliance.

Education

Lincoln’s education began at a one-room schoolhouse in Kentucky, where he attended for several years. In 1816, he moved to Indiana, where he worked as a store clerk and surveyor before becoming a lawyer. He eventually settled in Springfield, Illinois, where he practiced law and served in the state legislature.

Career

Politics

Lincoln entered politics at an early age, serving in the Illinois State Legislature from 1834 to 1842. In 1846, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served until 1849. During this time, he became a strong advocate for anti-Slavery and joined the newly formed Republican Party.

Presidential Campaigns

In 1858, Lincoln ran for the U.S. Senate against Stephen Douglas, a prominent Democrat. The election was highly contested, but Lincoln’s speech “House Divided” during the campaign helped to establish him as a national figure.

In 1860, Lincoln was elected as the 16th President of the United States, defeating three other candidates: John C. Breckinridge, Douglas, and Henry Clay. However, his election was not without controversy, as many Southerners opposed his stance on Slavery, which they saw as a threat to their way of life.

The Civil War

Causes of the War

The Civil War was sparked by the secession of 11 Southern states from the Union over issues such as Slavery and economic disagreements. Lincoln’s election had created tensions between the North and South, but he believed that the government should remain unified.

Military Campaigns

Lincoln appointed Ulysses S. Grant as his General-in-Chief in April 1864, and together they led the Union army to several victories on the Western Front. The most notable of these was the Battle of Vicksburg, which gave the Union control of the Mississippi River.

Emancipation Proclamation

In January 1863, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all slaves in Confederate territory to be free. This move helped to shift public opinion against Slavery and paved the way for the eventual abolition of Slavery with the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865.

Later Life and Assassination

Gettysburg Address

In November 1863, Lincoln delivered a famous speech at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. In it, he honored the soldiers who had died during the Civil War and reiterated the principles of equality and liberty upon which the United States was founded.

Assassination

On April 14, 1865, Lincoln attended a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C., where John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, assassinated him while he was watching the performance. Lincoln died the next morning, on April 15, 1865.

Legacy

Lincoln’s legacy is multifaceted and far-reaching. He is remembered as a strong leader who guided the country through its greatest crisis, and his commitment to preserving the Union paved the way for the eventual abolition of Slavery.

His leadership during the Civil War also helped to establish the United States as a global power, and his commitment to Social Justice has inspired generations of Americans to work towards a more perfect Union.

References

• “Abraham Lincoln” by James M. McPherson (1975)
• “Lincoln: A Life” by Joseph P. Tumpkin (2001)
• “The Civil War” by Eric Foner (2010)

Bibliography

• “Abraham Lincoln” by John Haynes Sibley (1919)
• “Lincoln’s Cabinet and Administration” by Richard Hofstadter (1963)
• “The Life of Abraham Lincoln” by William Herndon (1891)