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Abraham Lincoln February 12, 1809 (Hodgenville, KT) – April 15, 1865 (Petersen House, Washington D.C.) Political Party: Republican, National Union Term: March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865 Vice President: Hannibal Hamlin (1861- 1865), Andrew Johnson (March 4, 1865 – April 15, 1865)  The identity of America drastically changed during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln with issues like slavery, secession, and politics. The north and south were arguing over slavery in the nation. While the south wanted slaves for their plantations to maintain their economy, the north believed in equality and wanted to abolish slavery so that blacks could be free. Slavery had an effect on secession because the south and north had disputes over it. Politics played a role in secession as well as slavery. The south and north had many disagreements and arguments that the south wanted to split apart from the nation. During the Civil War era, the south seceded and became the Confederate States of America and the north stayed as the Union. Abraham Lincoln had to step up and fight for the Union and work towards abolishment but still keep the south or bring them back. After his term, slavery was ended and the nation was again united, after years of tough times.  Abraham Lincoln fought for himself during his term and led the nation and union to success. Lincoln wanted to end slavery but couldn’t publicly announce it during the Civil War and so he fought to “keep the south” in the nation. He was determined to keep the south in the nation and end slavery and did what it took for achievement. Lincoln debated against the best debater of that time, Senator Douglas, and defeated him but lost the seat in the senate. He also created the Emancipation Proclamation in desire to end slavery. Lincoln deserves an A for his work and affects he had in his term in office.  Abraham Lincoln, in his term, had goals that he wanted to achieve for the nations benefits. His goals included ending slavery, and bringing the south back to the union. In order to achieve these goals, which he did, he created the Emancipation Proclamation. This program was enforced after the Battle of Antietam. Because battle gave the north and Abe enough confidence to believe they were going to win and could defeat the south, Lincoln was able to promote the Emancipation and end slavery and that also led to the end of the war. At the end of the war and even after it, slavery was abolished and the south was forced to release their slaves and let them be free. After achieving this goal, Lincoln now wanted to reunite with the confederacy. He established a 10% rule meaning the south could come back into the nation if at least 10% of their congress would vote for the end of slavery. The south eventually came back and again, another goal was achieved. Abraham Lincoln had an acceptingly good relationship with congress because the majority party was the Republican Party, Abe’s party. Lincoln not only was allowed to do many things, he was also supported and backed up by the congress on his decisions. He suggested putting a blockade of the sea on the south and the congress was happy with this. It helped them control and decrease the confederate economy. Congress believed in and trusted their leader and this is why he was allowed to achieve what he did. Throughout Lincoln’s presidency, he achieved many accomplishments and goals. His most positive affect he had on the nation was with his Emancipation Proclamation. This program ended slavery and dramatically influenced the outcome of the war. His choice to end slavery was a major decision and was an extreme change in the country. His most negative decision in his term was after the civil war when he attempted to reunite the south with the union. He established a rule being that 10% of the confederate congress had to vote for the end of slavery, but only needing 10% isn’t enough to know that the south wouldn’t attempt to bring back slavery. It wasn’t a sure amount needed for the north. This easily allowed the south to reunite and still fight for slavery secretly by paying blacks to work on plantations. This was not a strict enough promotion for the nation, which is why this was his least positive affect. Lincoln’s most influential impact on future presidential decisions was his 10% rule he enforced after the war. This decision made would help out upcoming presidents to not enforce loose laws and be stricter for the better of the nation. His decision to enforce this rule would later influence the decisions of presidents in the future. Overall, Lincoln was an outstanding president and was a great leader for the nation. He influenced the future of America and helped out the nation in his time as well. With his decisions and accomplishments he made, America was a powerful nation and beginning to reunite. He deserves an A for his time he spent in office.

Bibliography: "Abraham Lincoln." //Wikipedia//. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Oct. 2012. Web. 28 Oct. 2012. .