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Abraham Lincoln

February 12, 1809 in Hardin County, Kentucky - April 15, 1865 in Washington D.C.

Political Party: Republican

Terms: March 4, 1861 - April 15, 1865

Vice President: First term - Hannibal Hamlin in 1861-1864; Second term - Andrew Johnson in 1865

Thematic Context Without a doubt, Lincoln and his administration had a lasting impact on slavery and its legacy in North America. A war could have been fought under another president. The same thing cannot be said for the end to slavery. Lincoln was able to solve the issue of slavery once and for all under the worst circumstances possible. Though not an abolitionist, Lincoln and the Civil War gradually brought an end to slavery. Lincoln outright abolished slavery in D.C. and essentially abolished slavery in rebelling states through the Emancipation Proclamation. This paved the way for the 13th amendment that would effectively abolish slavery. The South was in a way punished for its slaveocracy after being destroyed in Civil War and it would take a long time to recover. Meanwhile, wealth would be accumulated in the North and kept there even to this day. The South’s social structure would be destroyed and super families would cease to exist. The elite would now come from the North and therefore roles would be switched.

Thesis President Lincoln’s assassination sealed his place in history as not only the nation’s greatest martyr but also a great hero. Lincoln came from humble beginnings and dealt with adversity throughout his entire life. This prepared Lincoln to deal with the worst conditions possible upon taking office. By the time Lincoln took office, seven states has already seceded and four were soon to emulate the others. Despite these harsh circumstances, Lincoln would reunite the nation and end the moral evil of slavery. Lincoln would set in place a number of strategies that would require one of sound mind to create. By examining Lincoln’s ideas of how to deal with the South, it is evident that Lincoln had the nation’s interest in mind. Lincoln was not very well-liked in his time, and if not for his death, we may view him in a different way. However, what really matters is what he was able to accomplish and the legacy he left for us. Because of this, Lincoln deserves an A.

Goals As president, Lincoln once said “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or destroy slavery”. This makes the top priority of Lincoln clear. Lincoln came into office when the nation was divided and states had seceded. Lincoln considered secession a gross violation of the Constitution, therefore it only makes sense that this was his main goal as president. Despite this, Lincoln made it clear that he would not be the aggressor in what would become the Civil War.However, conflict was inevitable and Lincoln wanted a quick conflict that would result in little damage and a united nation. This goal would not be accomplished but would inspire another viewpoint down the road. Lincoln was not an abolitionist like his colleague William H. Seward, yet he still condemned slavery and did not want to see it spread. Lincoln also disagreed with other Northerners on how to deal with the South so his idea of embracing the South rather than punishing it also became a goal later on. Following that idea, Lincoln also wanted to help reconstruct the South after it was decimated in the Civil War and restore things to the way they were before war (economically).

Relationship with Congress Lincoln had an uneasy relationship with congress in that he was seen as incompetent by many members of Congress. Many congressmen disagreed with the way the war was being fought and most congressmen saw little need to compromise. Lincoln actually had only one true friend and decent relations with a few others. Lincoln was not fully alienated from Congress due to favors and patronage positions expected from President Lincoln. Despite all of this and more, Lincoln was still able to get done what was necessary.

Positive Event The action that had the most positive impact on the nation (long term) had to be the Civil War. If a man like Buchanan was in office, it is not unreasonable to think that no war would have been fought and things would have played out quite differently. Lincoln did not want a prolonged war with the devastating loss of life inflicted, but in the end it was worth it, that is to continue fighting. The war unified the nation and strengthened the industry in the North. People were able to accumulate large amounts of wealth and self-interest allowed innovation to occur. In this way, the war paved the way for tycoons like the Morgans (both father and son), Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie. Despite the differing views on these men, it cannot be argued that they didn’t have a positive impact on the nation.

Negative Event <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The poorest decision in Lincoln’s presidency was to choose Andrew Johnson as vice presidential candidate. At the time it was a great idea because Johnson brought votes from democrats (especially those in border states). We can also expect that Lincoln did not think he would be killed during his second term. Sadly, Lincoln did get killed and Johnson became president. Though Lincoln really made a smart decision by choosing Johnson, it turned out have a negative effect on the nation. This is the reality of the situation. Johnson a man of questionable character became one of the worst presidents in American history and was acquitted after few years of clashing with Congress.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Influential Decision <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lincoln’s most influential decision came when deciding how to deal with the lack of manpower in the Union’s forces. Shortly after, Lincoln came out with the Emancipation Proclamation. The name of this legislation is remembered even to this day even though many misunderstand what it truly was. The Emancipation Proclamation declared slaves in rebelling states free and the North enjoyed an increase in manpower shortly after. It is estimated that 85% of eligible blacks in the North fought for the Union and they enjoyed numerous new recruits daily from the South. Not only did Lincoln secure troops for a diminishing army, but he also gave the North the moral high ground. The world now saw this as a moral battle and the possibility of interference vanished. At this time, the border states were secured by the Union so there was no fear of them leaving, thus it was perfect timing on Lincoln’s part.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Conclusion <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lincoln was tested like no president before him. Through these difficult times, Lincoln was still able to find away to succeed and is truly a national hero. Lincoln may have served during the most critical four years of this nation’s history. To think he was just in the right place at the right time is incorrect. Lincoln was truly a high figure to rally around much like Washington. The great William H. Seward once said “Executive force and vigor are rare qualities. The President is the best of us”. This says quite a bit about Lincoln but don’t trust words. Look at the country today and the condition of blacks in the nation today and you will see the work of Lincoln. Because Lincoln had the biggest impact on the future of the nation and because the impact is also positive he must be given an A.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sources: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Abraham Lincoln's Classroom: Support for Scholars Studying Abraham Lincoln." Abraham Lincoln's Classroom: Support for Scholars Studying Abraham Lincoln. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Apr. 2013. <http://www.abrahamlincolnsclassroom.org/>.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Smith, Carter. Presidents: All You Need to Know. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006. Print