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Abraham Lincoln

Andrew Johnson (1865)
Abraham Lincoln had a wonderful presidency regardless of the fact that it was filled with the horrors of bloodshed. Lincoln deserves an A- for his presidency for the overall positive effect that he had on America. He avoided a war with Britain during the Trent affair; issued the Emancipation Proclamation that led to the 13th amendment and ultimately the abolition of slavery, took over the Border States for the Union, and planned a quick reconstruction for the nation. Although Honest Abe was not the perfect character often portrayed because he denied some the right of habeas corpus, arrested/court-martialed anti-war activists and spent funds before he had the authorization from congress. Although it is true that Lincoln was the thing that pushed the secession it was inevitable.

In his first inaugural address Lincoln stated that the decision to secede was by his presidential duties not something he could support, the decision was ultimately up to the people. The other valid point made was that the idea of secession was impractical. There was nothing separating the north and the south. No matter what was done they would always be physically connected. Regardless of his efforts the south did secede but the nation was latter reunited a triumph Lincoln did not witness. Lincoln stressed the idea of National unity. Abolition was not his intent in office and that he meant no threat to the south. He stressed that it was not his place to determine whether slavery should be abolished or not. Although the reassurance that he did not have the right as a president to declare the abolition of slavery he did just that in the Emancipation Proclamation which led to the 13th amendment. In Lincoln’s second inaugural address he pushed the idea of peace; peace in the nation and between nations. Lincoln said it may be hard work but it’s time to “bind up the nation’s wounds.” Regrettably Lincoln’s assassination prevented him from achieving these goals.

Lincoln’s relations with Congress were great. With the seceding South the majority of the Democratic Party was gone so there remained little opposition in congress. Lincoln’s Republican Party was by far the majority party during both of his terms. The Democrats held a maximum of 15 congressional seats throughout both of Lincoln’s terms. Bills were past quickly and often. Even some of things that Lincoln did without congressional approval were later dubbed acceptable. Two of the many Acts passed are the Homestead Act and the Morrill Act.

Lincoln’s presidency in its entirety was the most positive thing that he did, although the Emancipation Proclamation was the most positive action “during” his presidency. This legendary speech is just that. It led to the 13th amendment and abolition of slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation freed all slaves that were still against the Union although there were some exceptions. Lincoln made sure that the speech was read during a time of triumph for the Union in order to increase its effectiveness and get the correct meaning across. This document set the stage for abolition which drastically changed our country for the better. The Emancipation Proclamation led to the beginning of a new life for a large majority of the population. There were not one but a few bad decisions made by Abraham Lincoln he denied some the right of habeas corpus, arrested and court-martialed anti-war activists and spent funds before he had the authorization from congress. These three things are the major wrong doings of Lincoln during his presidency.

Lincoln’s presidency was in almost every aspect ground breaking, it very much set the precedent for our country today. Was he not ultimately the “last straw” for many southerners? Just Lincoln’s election started a chain reaction which led to the Civil War. Lincoln’s decision to run for the presidency was the most influential decision but during the span of his two terms it was most likely the Emancipation Proclamation. If Lincoln had not made the Emancipation Proclamation what effect would it have had on the war and ultimately America’s future? Although it might be improbable slavery could still be alive today without his nationally recognized speech. Would the moral of the north and south have changed without the Proclamation? The Emancipation Proclamation was the first step into abolishing slavery.

Lincoln deserves an A- because the many positive things that he did. He had a major positive effect on our country today but he did make a few mistakes. When it really comes down to it the positives greatly and indisputably out number and is more significant than the negatives.

"Abraham Lincoln." //Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia//. Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia, 25 Mar. 2010. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. [].

DeGregorio, William A. __The Complete Book of U.S Presidents__. 7th ed. Abraham Lincoln. New Jersey: Barricade Books Inc., 2009.

"Party Division in the Senate, 1789-Present." //United States Senate//. United States Senate, 2010. Web. 19 Feb. 2010. <[].>.