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Abraham Lincoln

February 12, 1809 in Hodgenville (Hardin County), Kentucky- April 15, 1865 Peterson House

Political Party: Republican

Terms: March 4, 1861- April 15, 1865

Vice Presidents: First Term-Hannibal Hamiln (1861-1865) Second Term-Andrew Johnson (1865)

American Identity has never been more fragile or challenged than when Abraham Lincoln was president. The South was finally seceding from the Union after having threatened to for quite some time. The numerous predictions of a Civil War were about to come true, and Americans would fight a war against themselves. They would be forced to identify themselves with either the Union or the Confederacy, and for many this would be a tough choice to make. Issues like slavery and federal power would cause many to question where their loyalty lied. Some families, especially in the border states, would literally split in half, one brother going to fight for the Confederacy, the other the Union. Slavery itself would yet again prove to be an obstacle in making America united, as there were many different stances on the issue. Of course there were those who supported it, mostly southerners whose lives and economy solely depended on cotton and slave labor. There were Free-Soilers, those who did not wish to end current slavery but merely prevent from spreading into the newly acquired territories won by through the Mexican War. And lastly there were abolitionists, citizens who wished to end slavery entirely. These groups put pressure on Americans in not just a political sense, but in an economic and social case as well. Because of these events, Lincoln needed to get the Confederacy rejoined with the Union as quickly as possible or he would run the risk of there being “two Americas”. Many choices Lincoln made throughout his terms would have to please all groups in the Union, as he needed them to continue to identify with the Union as a whole and not just with their individual groups or states.
 * Thematic Context **

Abraham Lincoln was forced to deal with the most difficult issue that any president would ever have to face. While presidents before and after him dealt with war, Lincoln was dealing with a war within his own country. The strategy and actions he took could not be the same, as his goal was to preserve not destroy. Lincoln was also faced with the moral obligation to end slavery, which was largely his own choice rather than the whole nation’s. On top of this all, America was still facing the regular issues it always had, such as foreign relations and economy. Yet, by the end of his presidency, the country was once again the United States of America. Not only did it seem like a peaceful reconstruction would take place (until his assassination), but America would forever have a role model who would be remembered for eternity. Therefore, based on the actions and ideas that Abraham Lincoln presented during his terms, president Lincoln deserves an A+ for his presidency **. **
 * Thesis **

Though known as “Honest Abe”, Lincoln displays quite a bit of deception in his inaugural address. President Lincoln stated, “ I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to do so, and I have no inclination to do so”. However, as the war continued it would become clear that Lincoln did indeed have the intention of changing slavery, as this had been on his hidden agenda for quite some time. Throughout the rest of his address, it is evident that Lincoln’s first and foremost goal was to preserve the Union. He subtly threatens the Confederacy, stating that while they have no power to defy the government that he has the power to protect and defend it. From this it can be interpreted that Lincoln was prepared to go to war if necessary. Considering that by the end of Lincoln’s presidency the Union had won the Civil War and the South was on the path to unification, it’s more than safe to say that Lincoln was able to accomplish his goals.
 * Goals **

During both of Lincoln’s terms, the Republican party was the majority in the Senate and the House of Representatives. Congress of course was smaller, due to the secession of the southern states, and this may have benefited Lincoln. Whatever the case, Congress was almost always willing to commend Lincoln’s decision. Lincoln exaggerated his executive power through actions that were supposed to be granted to Congress, for example, increasing the Federal Army’s size. However, Lincoln never needed to be tyrannical, as he took the time to examine members of Congress and learn how to convince them to see his way. However,while Congress supported Lincoln, Lincoln did not always support Congress. On July 4, 1864, he pocket vetoed the Wade-Davis Bill which called for a 50% “vote of oath” in the South, compared to Lincoln’s ten percent plan for Reconstruction. Not all legislation passed concerned the Civil War, as the Legal Tender Act of 1862, which was the issuing of 150 million paper money, helped stabilize the nation’s economy for the time being.
 * Relationship with Congress **

Though it may have seemed unfavorable at the time, Lincoln’s decision for Civil War was the greatest positive event during his terms. The separation of America had been awaited for some time, and with Lincoln’s election, the South went ahead with their plans of secession. Lincoln did not call for military action immediately, he gave the South the ability to “make” his decision, which they did by attacking Fort Sumter. From there he called an order for 75,000 militiamen, whom quickly came as requested. Lincoln and the Union were extremely successful in their naval strategy, as their port blockades severely crippled the South. Lincoln also made headway when he was able to victoriously recruit the ever so crucial border-states for the Union cause. This was a considerable feat, as the border-states theoretically should have sided with the South. Lincoln, not the North, was highly responsible for this, as he deployed military action to “persuade” these pivotal areas. The decision to finally end the division between the North and the South through military means was a necessary “evil”, and eventually allowed America to heal and grow.
 * Positive Event **

While Lincoln was an intelligent, wise, and generally good-tempered leader, the same cannot be said for those who surrounded him. The most negative event throughout Lincoln’s presidency was the appointment of numerous unfit leaders, many who would become involved with post-reconstruction politics, and the lack of preparation for America after the Civil War would end. The Civil War was extraordinary, an event that made impact not only in America but in foreign nations as well. But despite all the effort put into the war, the results were less than satisfying. Slavery, as least the term of it, was destroyed, but the South continued to practice its cruel tendencies in a more deceiving way, sharecropping. The South was also not punished for it’s treasonous actions (for the most part) and inevitably still sayed separate from the North, just in a more social than physical sense. It’s been said that had Lincoln been president during Reconstruction the South might have been treated gentler, but in reality the South was able to carry on with most of its pre-secession actions.Lincoln supported the a quick reuniting with the South, and this may not have been the most reasonable plan. Lincoln’s ten-percent plan did not make the South follow through with reform. The Union could have taken the time to slowly, but properly and correctly, reconstruct the South, but it didn’t. Lincoln also made the mistake of putting his faith in the wrong people. There were multiple commanders of the Union during the war, such as Burnside and McClellan, but these leaders never seemed to fulfill Lincoln’s hopes. Had they been quicker replaced by more adequate men the Civil War may have been able to spare some bloodshed. Eventually, Lincoln finally settled on Ulysses Grant, who although managed to “win” the Civil War, later became a not so successful president. Another fault in Lincoln’s choice of people was the action to make Andrew Johnson his vice president. Though no one foresaw the assassination of Lincoln, the appointment of Jackson as vice president, which then led to him being president, hurt America during its time of fragility after the Civil War. Had Lincoln possibly been surrounded by more like him and more planning been made for post-Civil War, America might have been able to prosper more than it did **. **
 * Negative Event **

Abraham Lincoln made one of the most influential decisions of all time when he decided to remove the weed of slavery from American soil. This decision was solely his, not just as a president, but as a person. Not all of the Union was on board with the complete abolition of slavery, but Lincoln was, or at least he was by the time he issued the Emancipation Proclamation (a preliminary September 22, 1862 and an official release January 1, 1863). Throughout his political career, specifically early on and his the infamous Lincoln-Douglas debates, Lincoln seemed uncertain what his views on slavery were, as he would often appear to change his mind. However, both publicly and more so privately, it would appear that Lincoln regarded slavery as morally wrong. And because of his beliefs, he decided to end it. There is practically no explanation needed to describe how this impacted future generations of America, but the most important effect was that this was the first step towards racial equality. While, unfortunately, racism toward African-Americans continued for many years after the Civil War, they were no longer considered “property”. Without Lincoln’s decision to free the slaves it is uncertain how America would have progressed,or even just how the Civil War would have ended.
 * Influential Decision **

Lincoln was placed in charge of America when it was on the brink of chaos. The nation had split into two, and violence was seemingly near. Lincoln, unlike any of his predecessors, took the “bull by the horns” and took the necessary steps in order to cause the states to once again be united. He did so with patience and temperance. He led America with logic rather than irrationality, and his personal decisions only helped benefit the nation. A shame that his second term ended unexpectedly, one might wonder how much better off America would be today if Lincoln had finished out his term. It’s clear that through his leadership the United States was finally able to clear the obstacles that had prevented its growth for many years. Because Lincoln drastically improved America’s health and stability, was able to overcome a civil war, and end the poison of slavery, Abraham Lincoln deserves an A+ for his presidency.
 * Conclusion **

"Abraham Lincoln and Members of Congress." Abraham Lincoln's Classroom. The Lincoln Institute, n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. .
 * Bibliography **

"Abraham Lincoln: First Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses. 1989." Bartleby.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. .

"Abraham Lincoln." The White House. Usa.gov, 2009. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. .

DeGregorio, William A. The Complete Book of US Presidents. Seventh ed. New York: Barricade, 2009. Print.

"Key Events in the Presidency of Abraham Lincoln." Miller Center. Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, 2013. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. .

"Presidential Vetoes ." History, Art & Archives. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 Mar. 2013. .