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Abraham Lincoln

Mensur Semaye

Mr. Nebil Abdulkadir

History 10

May 8, 2022
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Introduction

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of United States in 1861. Abraham Lincoln is

considered “America’s greatest [Hero]”. Abraham Lincoln is largely loved and appreciated for

his big role in the union of United States of America freeing slaves. Lincoln is an inspiring

person who become successful from starting from a small humble family.

Lincoln’s humanity made such big impact on the USA. Lincoln’s legacy is remembered

until now. This short biography includes Abraham Lincoln’s early life, family, career, some fun

facts about him, Lincoln as a politician, Lincoln’s perspective on slavery, senate race, Lincoln’s

role on American Civil war, Lincoln’s assassination, his legacy, and some of his famous quotes.

Early life

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, to Nancy Hanks and Thomas Lincoln in

Hardin country, Kentucky. Lincoln was the second child to his family. He lived with his older

sister Sarah and younger brother Thomas who died in his early childhood. Lincoln’s challenges

started when he was nine when he lost his mother to tremetol(milk sickness) at age 34, on

October 5 1818. This event made young Lincoln frustrated and devastated. Lincoln grew isolated

from his father. The death of his mother placed a huge responsibility on Lincoln. He grew up

resenting the hard work that he had to do. Lincoln’s family had to move to a new place souther

Indiana in 1817 due to land dispute. In 1819 After a year of Lincoln’s mother death Lincoln’s

father married a new woman who is named Sarah bush Johnston a Kentucky widow with 3

children of her own. She was a lovely woman whom Lincoln quickly connected with.
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After long time of scarping living fortune Lincoln’s family was able to buy a land. Both of

Lincoln’s parents were illiterate but Lincoln’s step mom encouraged him to learn. Lincoln got

formal education for about 18 months.

Lincoln later on married to a woman who is named Mary Todd and gave birth to 4 children

Robert Todd, Edward Baker, William Wallace and Thomas of those 4 kids only Robert Todd

made it to adulthood.

career

Lincoln started his political career in 1834 by being the member of Whig Party. It was at this

time Lincoln grown interest in law so he self thought himself law by reading William

Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England and practicing the John T. Stuart law firm.

Lincoln continued making living out of working as lawyer.

Lincoln was able to be in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1847 to 1849. His foray into

country wide politics was unremarkable because it was brief.

Lincoln and Slavery

In 1854 the US Congress passed the Kansas-Nebraska Act which canceled the Missouri

Compromise, allowing individual states and territories to determine for themselves whether to

permit slavery. The act faced opposition in Kansas and Illinois and it gave upward thrust to the

Republican Party.

This awakened Lincoln's political enthusiasm again and his views on slavery moved toward

moral indignation, which made Lincoln join the Republican Party in 1856.
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In 1857, the Supreme Court pointed its controversial Dred Scott decision by declaring African

Americans are no longer residents and “had no inherent rights”. Lincoln believed America's

founders informed that all mens had been created within “inalienable rights”.

Senate Race

Lincoln decided to undertake the sitting of Senator Stephen Douglas. In his speech Lincoln

criticized Douglas, the Supreme Court, and President James Buchanan for promotion slavery and

declared "a house divided cannot stand." During 1858 U.S. Senate campaign Lincoln participated

in seven debates held in different cities throughout Illinois. The two candidates had very good

ideas that satisfied the society. They both had debates on issues ranging from states' rights to

western expansion. The central problem was on slavery. In the end, Douglas got elected but the

exposure vaulted Lincoln into national politics.

President Abraham Lincoln

In 1860, political operatives in Illinois teamed up a campaign to help Lincoln to win the

presidency. On May 18, at the Republican National Convention in Chicago, Lincoln outdo

known candidates such as William Seward of New York and Salmon P. Chase of Ohio.

Lincoln's domination was because of his moderate views on slavery, his aim for improving the

countrywide infrastructure, and the protective tariff.

Finally, Lincoln get 180 of 303 Electoral College votes, therefore prevailing the U.S. presidency.

Civil War

In March 1861, seven Southern states withdraw from the Union, and by April the U.S. military

set up Fort Sumter beneath siege in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina.

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On April 12, 1861, weapons stationed to protect the harbor blazed towards the fortress signaling

the begin of the U.S. Civil War, America’s most costliest and bloodiest war. The southern states

war leader was Jefferson Davis who was very experienced in war and hero of the Mexican war.

On the other side Lincoln was not that much experienced an had only spent short period of time

in the Black Hawk War. Lincoln was not expected to lead the military successfully and win but

he proved that he was amazing war leader too. He learnt war strategies in the early years of war

and brought victory to the unionists.

Emancipation Proclamation

On January 1, 1863, Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation, changing the aim of the

Civil War from saving the Union to abolishing slavery. Soon enough African American Joined

the civil siding for Abraham Lincoln. the Union victory at Antietam on September 22, 1862,

whilst through no skill conclusive, was hopeful, giving Lincoln the confidence to officially

change the goals of the war.

Civil War Ending

Following Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the war was turned for the

North(Abraham Lincoln’s unionist) that happened not because the strength of the north increased

but because the south was weakened day after day while the north preserved its strength. through

1864, the souther states armies encounter primary defeat. Lincoln was satisfied he'd be a one-

term president. George B. McClellan, the former commander of the Army of the Potomac,

challenged him for the presidency, however Lincoln won the election with significant difference

receiving majority of the vote. On April 9, 1865, General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Army

of Virginia, surrendered his forces to Union General Ulysses S. Grant which made the winning of
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the unionist was sure. Lincoln liked a policy of quick reunification. He was once opposed by a

radical group of Republicans in the Senate that wanted complete trust and repentance from

former Confederates. Before a political debate had any danger to firmly develop, Lincoln was

assassinated.

Assassination

Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, by using Confederate supporter John Wilkes Booth

at Ford's Theatre in Washington D.C. Lincoln was taken to the Petersen House and laid in a coma

for 9 hours. He died the next morning. His death was mourned by millions of people in the USA.

Lincoln's corpse round the U. S. Capital before a funeral instruct took him again to his resting

region in Spring field, Illinois.

Legacy

Lincoln is regularly known by historians and average residents as America's greatest president.

Lincoln used each and every strength at his disposal to “guarantee victory in the Civil War and

quit slavery in the United States”.

Historians doubt that the Union would have been reserved “if other person of lesser personality

been in the White House”. According to historian Michael Burlingame, "No president in

American history ever confronted a greater disaster and no president ever accomplished as

much."

Abraham Lincoln Quotes

“Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time.”

“I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a

flower where I thought a flower would grow.”

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“I am rather inclined to silence, and whether that be wise or not, it is at least more unusual

nowadays to find a man who can hold his tongue than to find one who cannot.”

“I am exceedingly anxious that this Union, the Constitution, and the liberties of the people shall

be perpetuated in accordance with the original idea for which that struggle was made, and I shall

be most happy indeed if I shall be a humble instrument in the hands of the Almighty, and of this,

his almost chosen people, for perpetuating the object of that great struggle.”

“This is essentially a People's contest. On the side of the Union, it is a struggle for maintaining in

the world, that form, and substance of government, whose leading object is, to elevate the

condition of men -- to lift artificial weights from all shoulders - - to clear the paths of laudable

pursuit for all -- to afford all, an unfettered start, and

a fair chance, in the race of life.”

“Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation,

conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

“This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the

people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Sources

Biography.com Editors, The biography.com, Abraham Lincoln’s biography, Access Date May 6,

2022,Publisher A&E Television Networks, Last Updated October 29, 2020, Original Published

Date April 2, 2014

Abraham Lincoln, Author, History.com Editors, HISTORY, https://www.history.com/topics/us-

presidents/abraham-lincoln, Access Date: May 6, 2022, Last Updated, February 23, 2022,

Original Published Date: October 29, 2009

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