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Abraham Lincoln



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The success of Lincoln’s presidency had the more impact on United States history than any other president. When he entered office in 1861, America was all but fallen apart and approaching civil war between the North and South. Between the time he was elected and his first day in office most of the South already seceded from the North because of many issues including slavery and the Kansas-Nebraska crisis. Lincoln disapproved the secession and showed he would not allow it by the result of the bloodiest war in American history. The efforts and decisions Lincoln made united the states together again and for that alone he deserves an A.=====

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When he entered into his first term, Lincoln's primary goal was to keep the Union together and avoid secession at all costs. This goal did not work, but Lincoln could not have done anything about it because seven of the lower states had seceded between the time he was elected and his first step in office. If anything he should have been helped by the preceding president, James Buchanan. To stay on the Southern topic, we must clear up Lincoln never wanted to free the slaves, which contradicts his cause. He did not want to deal with the slave debate, but was completely against secession and slavery was one of the main causes for secession. Lincoln, who carried Republican beliefs also strive to reach goals like the end of slavery expansion, protective tariffs, internal improvements (highlighted by the signing of the Pacific Railroad) and free homesteads. Free homesteads were provided by the signing of the Homestead Act and the Morrill Land Grant Act and other internal improvements in the railroad industry were made by the signing of the Pacific Railroad Act. During the later years of war and his first term, one of his three main goals that Lincoln strived for was keeping the Border States to favor of the Union. If the Border States were to secede, it would separate Washington DC from mainland “Union” as well as tip the scale to the Confederates. Second was to stop foreign aid from helping the South with his sea blockade. Because many foreign powers like Britain and France wanted the Union to fail, Lincoln made sure no help would be provided by launching a blockade. Last Lincoln supported the “Total War” mentality which led the Union to victory. His army gained control piece by piece, first the Mississippi then Georgia and the Carolinas. The result of the three goals stated were all successes in Lincoln’s favor, which helped Lincoln win the war and receive honorable grades.=====

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Lincoln had a unique relationship with his Congress. During the war, Congress was split between War Democrats, Peace Democrats and Copperheads who all had different opinions. Because of this, Lincoln often took matters into his own hands and held more power in decision-making than any other president. Often times Lincoln passed laws without the consent of Congress, with the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in 1861-62 standing out. During Lincoln's presidency Congress for the most part agreed with what Lincoln decided regardless of whether or not they had approved it before he took action. Because they were fine with his boss like decisions it shows their trust in “Honest Abe”. Even with all the different morals being thrown around in Congress, with the situation the country was in Abraham Lincoln had a good relationship with Congress. =====

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The event that had the most positive outcome was the Civil War. Yes there so many events in the war that the war itself may seem too broad, but what can compete with the reason why the Confederate States of America do not exist today? There were so many vital decisions and outcomes that Lincoln made that changed the outlook of the country during this time, with one being the Emancipation Proclamation. This proclamation declared that all slaves that were still in rebellion were free. This statement was one of the psychological turning points in the war because it made it a war of freedom and morals. The physical turning point was the success and completion of the Total War plot. It started with control of the Mississippi and west. It was followed by the march into Georgia and northward finally cornering the Confederates into Richmond. With the victory of the Civil War Lincoln reunited the states again which had to be the most positive outcome.=====

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Lincoln’s presidency was nearly flawless but his tendency to override the Constitution in order to accomplish his goals was not something to look up upon. His suspension of habeas corpus was not only scrutinized by many people, but it denied them one of their most ethical rights promised to them by the Bill of Rights. He also had at most times too much control over the military. With so much executive power, it created a trend that reached into the next president’s (Johnson’s) term that Congress had not enough say in the government. Other than those things there was very little negative that came out of Lincoln’s administration. =====

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Behind possibly the Declaration of Independence, the Emancipation Proclamation was one of the most monumental milestones in America’s young history. From the day of September 22, 1862 America has never been the same. By freeing the slaves, African-Americans played a new role in American society for the better. In the years that followed the proclamation they became an active part of the government, economy and even everyday life. The limitations were still present with the Black Codes and difficulty to find jobs, but Emancipation Proclamation was the first large step for civil rights for blacks and was the start to the movement that took place the next hundred years of American history.=====

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In the abrupt end to Lincoln’s presidency to the present day, America was better off with Lincoln as president. He was put in a near impossible situation, fixing the torn apart country, and was successful in uniting it back together. Some negative events were inevitable in which Lincoln could do nothing about, but all of his positive moves give Abraham Lincoln an “A”.=====

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