Abraham Lincoln

Early Life and Education

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, who led the country through the Civil War and abolished slavery. He was born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Kentucky and grew up in a poor family and had little formal education. Lincoln taught himself to read and write and worked as a store clerk, a surveyor, and a lawyer.

Political Beginnings and Rise in the Republican Party

Lincoln entered politics as a Whig and served in the Illinois state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives. He quickly became a leader of the new Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery into the territories. He gained national fame for his debates with Stephen A. Douglas in 1858, in which he argued against the doctrine of popular sovereignty. Although he lost the Senate race to Douglas, his strong moral stance made him a contender for the presidency in 1860.

Election of 1860 and the Outbreak of the Civil War

Lincoln won the election of 1860 with less than 40% of the popular vote, but a majority of the electoral votes. His victory triggered the secession of 11 Southern states, which formed the Confederate States of America. Lincoln refused to recognize the Confederacy and vowed to preserve the Union. He called for volunteers to suppress the rebellion, sparking the Civil War in April 1861.

Challenges of Leadership During the Civil War

Throughout the war, Abraham Lincoln faced opposition and challenges from both his adversaries and military commanders. He encountered obstacles in selecting leaders and often delved into military affairs personally. Additionally, he dealt with issues such as rising prices, military conscription, civil liberties, and emancipation.

The Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment

In 1863, Lincoln declared the Emancipation Proclamation to free all enslaved individuals within the Confederate states. He also pushed for the approval of the Thirteenth Amendment, which would permanently abolish slavery throughout the country.

Re-election and Policies of Reconciliation

Lincoln was re-elected in 1864, defeating his former general George B. McClellan. He pursued a policy of reconciliation with the South, offering generous terms of peace and amnesty. He delivered his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865, in which he expressed his hope for lasting peace and a “new birth of freedom.”

Assassination and Legacy

On April 14, 1865, Lincoln attended a play at Ford’s Theatre, where he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer. He died the next morning, becoming the first president to be killed in office. Lincoln’s leadership during the Civil War and his efforts to end slavery solidified his legacy as one of America’s greatest presidents.