Matt+K.+-+AL+-+SP10

// Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12, 1809-April 15, 1865)  // // Republican  // // Term of office:1861-1865  // // Hannibal Hamlin (1861-1865); Andrew Johnson (1865)  // President Lincoln deserves an A for his presidency because of his success in leading the nation through the Civil War and preserving the Union along with the issuing of the Emanccipation Proclamation and his promotion of the 13th Amendment. All of these achivements ultimately improved the country of the United States by allowing for further advancements whether it be advancments in the infastructure, society, or the economy. The main goal of President Abraham Lincoln was to preserve the Union and reunite the country. The United States had just entered a civil war due to most of the Southern states leaving the union because of a dissagreement involving the new constitution with the States having the power to nullify this constitution. At a later point, another goal of Lincoln’s which resulted from the civil war was the issue of how to handle slavery. Lincoln decided that the abolishion of slavery would be the best decision. Lincoln eventually achieved this goal through issuing the Emancipation Proclamation and later, the 13th Ammendment. Lincoln’s relationship with Congress was on good ground because the Republicans were the majority party at this time making passing most legislation rather easy. President Lincoln only had to use his veto four times which is indication that almost everything proposed by Congress made it through. So it is rather safe to say that Lincoln and Congress were on good terms. The action that had the most positive outcome was the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which was the beginning of the abolitation of slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation  declared that all slaves within the rebellious states were free. The Emancipation Proclamation was limited though. It only applied to states that had seceded from the Union, meaning the loyal border states were not affected. The Emancipation Proclamation also helped the North in the war effort. The Proclamation announced the acceptance of black men into the Union Army and Navy and by the end of the war, almost 200,000 black soldiers and sailors had fought for the Union. The action that had the most negative affect was Lincoln’s suspension of Habeas Corpus. Habeas Corpus stated that a person could not be imprisoned indefinitely without being charged with some specific crime. The repeal of Habeas Corpus enabled civil and military authorities to imprison thousands of people who expressed their opposition to the war against the South. One of the most influential decisions made by the Lincoln administration was the Emancipation Proclamation. The Emancipation Proclamation was the beginning of the Abolition of slavery, without this step towards the liberation of the blacks it would have taken much longer for them to gain their freedom. The outcome of this decision greatly impacted the United States by introducing the idea of a completely free country and leading to other things such as the 13th Ammendment, complete equality for blacks, and inspiration for other minorities to fight for their rights. The United States was definitely better off at the end of Lincoln’s presidency. Lincoln had successfully perserved the Union, united the country again, and paved the way for the abolation of slavery and complete freedom for blacks. For these reasons Lincoln deserves an A for his presidency. Sources "Abraham Lincoln |." //The White House//. Web. 26 Mar. 2010. . "Abraham Lincoln Biography - 16th President of the United States." //American History From About//. Web. 25 Mar. 2010. . "American President: Abraham Lincoln: A Life in Brief." //Miller Center of Public Affairs//. Web. 26 Mar. 2010. . .