Premium Essay

Abraham Lincoln's Legacy

Submitted By
Words 901
Pages 4
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States and is regarded as one of America’s greatest heroes due to both his incredible impact on the nation and his unique appeal. He rose from humble beginnings to achieve the highest office in government. Lincoln’s distinctively humane personality and historical role as savior of the Union and emancipator of the slaves created a legacy that endures. His eloquence of Democracy and insistence that the Union was worth saving embody the ideals of self-government that all nations strive to achieve.
He was born in Hardin County, Kentucky to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. Lincoln and his family moved from place to place due to a land dispute in 1817 when they moved from Kentucky to Perry …show more content…
Young Abraham eventually migrated to the small community of New Salem, Illinois, where he eventually volunteered as a soldier when the Black Hawk War broke out in 1832 between the United States and Native Americans. After the war, Abraham Lincoln began his political career and was elected to the state legislature, in 1834, as a member of the Whig Party. He supported the Whig politics of government-sponsored infrastructure and protective tariffs. This political understanding led him to formulate his early views on slavery. Around 1837 he met and became involved with Anne Rutledge, and before they even had a chance to be engaged, a wave of typhoid fever came over New Salem and Anne died at age 22. Her death left Abraham Lincoln severely depressed. In 1844 Lincoln partnered with William Herndon in the practice of law, and by 1847 to 1849 he served a single term in the U.S. House of Representatives. On 22 December 1847 Lincoln introduced "spot resolutions" calling for information on the exact "spot of soil" on which Mexicans shed American blood to start the war, implying that this spot was actually Mexican soil. Lincoln also voted several times for the Wilmot Proviso, declaring that slavery should be …show more content…
Lincoln was not happy with the slavery situation and when the Kansas-Nebraska Act, rammed through Congress under the leadership of Illinois senator Stephen A. Douglas (an old acquaintance of Lincoln), revoked the ban on slavery in the Louisiana Purchase territory. This repeal of a crucial part of the Missouri Compromise of 1820 opened Kansas Territory to slavery, he was not going to allow slavery in his hometown. It incited several years of civil war between proslavery and antislavery forces in Kansas, which became a prelude to the national Civil War that erupted seven years later, and it gave birth to the Republican Party, whose principal plank was exclusion of slavery from the territories. In 1857, the Supreme Court issued its controversial decision Scott v. Sanford, declaring African Americans were not citizens and had no inherent rights. Abraham Lincoln felt African Americans were not equal to whites, but he believed that the American founders intended that all men were created with certain inalienable rights. He decided to challenge sitting U.S. Senator Stephen

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

How Did Abraham Lincoln's Legacy Behind The Second Revolution

...McPherson’s book on Abraham Lincoln is about his quest of keeping the nation united. Lincoln stressed this word ‘nation’ many times to punctuate the fact these weren’t just a loose group of states, but a strong union. McPherson’s thesis is that Abraham Lincoln was the mastermind behind the Second Revolution and due to his intelligence as a leader and his patience, Lincoln was able to revive the nation and give a new meaning to equality and freedom. Many of the Republicans in America believed that in order to restore balance to the nation, the war must destroy “the old slaveholding, aristocratic social dynasty” that had ruled the nation, and replace it with a “new Republican one”. (Page 4) According to Marxist thought, a revolution produces...

Words: 418 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Abraham Lincoln's Assassination Research Paper

...Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was assassinated on April 14, 1865 by John Wilkes Booth. This tragic event took place at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. Lincoln's assassination shocked the nation and had a profound impact on American history. The assassination of Abraham Lincoln was a planned and coordinated attack by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer. Booth was a famous actor who had strong beliefs in the Confederacy and felt that by killing Lincoln, he would revive the Confederate cause. Booth carefully planned the assassination and enlisted the help of co-conspirators, including Lewis Powell and George Atzerodt. On the fateful night of April 14, Booth entered Lincoln's private box at the theatre and...

Words: 348 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Coll-148 Role Model Outline

...Coll-148: Course Project Outline Name Coll-148: Outline June 3rd 2014 Professor Coll-148: Course Project Outline My Plan for achieving personal success in the footsteps of the agreed upon role model, Abraham Lincoln will provide me with the path needed to achieve personal success. I admire Abraham Lincoln, who was a successful leader as the 16th president of the United States of America. As I complete my academic courses at DeVry, the success skills and abilities that will enable me to achieve my dreams are based on the impact and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln, who after giving his life for freedom, reminds us to be well spoken and honest. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Computer Information Systems (CIS); my focus is in Business Management (BM). I expected to complete my graduate program in 36 to 39 months. The combination of both field of study and expected graduation completion are going to allow me to become a graduate of DeVry and set me on the path to freedom. We have chosen President Lincoln as a group. His leadership skills are just as relevant today, as they were when he was alive. Abraham Lincoln died on April 15, 1865 and he impact and legacy of leadership still motivates me today. President Lincoln is considered one of the nation's greatest presidents (States, 2014). Lincoln was a master communicator whose words artfully conveyed an unwavering commitment and vision for a free America (Miller, 2014). These freedoms have had the greatest...

Words: 676 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Week Three Paper

...* Preview the main ideas My Plan for achieving personal success in the footsteps of the agreed upon role model, Abraham Lincoln will provide me with the path needed to achieve personal success. I admire Abraham Lincoln, who was a successful leader as the 16th president of the United States of America. As I complete my academic courses at DeVry, the success skills and abilities that will enable me to achieve my dreams are based on the impact and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln, who after giving his life for freedom, reminds us to be well spoken and honest. You’re Field of Study: * Why you chose this field of study * Expected graduation completion I am currently pursuing a Bachelor's in Computer Information Systems (CIS); my focus is in Business Management (BM). I expected to complete my graduate program in 36 to 39 months. The combination of both field of study and expected graduation completion are going to allow me to become a graduate of DeVry and set me on the path to freedom. Who is the leader: * Reasons why you chose the leader in your field * How has this leader influenced or put his/her mark within the industry (citations) We have chosen President Lincoln as a group. His leadership skills are just as relevant today, as they were when he was alive. Abraham Lincoln died on April 15, 1865 and he impact and legacy of leadership still motivates me today. President Lincoln is considered one of the nation's greatest presidents (States...

Words: 788 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Abraham Lincoln

...Running head: ABRAHAM LINCOLN 1 Abraham Lincoln Student's Name University Affiliation Date of submission Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln's Obituary Abraham Lincoln was born in the year 1809. Due to his stern and revolutionary stands to the American nation, he was assassinated in April 1865. Abraham Lincoln before rising to the political leadership was initially a lawyer based in the state of Illinois. As a lawyer, he expressed his concerns to the slavery that had been exhibited by the American political class against the Africans and the black American. He spent most of his times as a lawyer defending the oppressed who were subjected to hard labor without pay. Around 1846, Lincoln was elected to the Illinois House of Representative, where he worked with dedication to bring forth to his electorates economic progress. During the times he served in the house, he hastened modernization of the economy through establishments of banks, railroads and tariffs which saw the economy of the state of Illinois grow and develop. During his era as the American president, Lincoln is remembered for his moving speeches. Most importantly he is remembered for the initiative of ending slavery in America by initiating emancipation proclamation that was directed towards ending slavery in America. As the commander in chief of United States of America, he played a critical role in preserving America from splitting and assented a bill that prevented the foreigners from invading...

Words: 543 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Evals

...look back into our history at someone who many revere as our greatest leader. Many people today, believe that Abraham Lincoln was and is the greatest President the United States has ever seen. Donald Phillips shares his agreement with this sentiment in his well written book, "Lincoln On Leadership." The book itself was thoroughly enjoyable. It was a very easy read and shared much of President Lincoln's leadership through the eyes and stories of others of that day. This book is a great history lesson of the period of the Civil War and Lincoln's legacy. Through numerous stories, Donald Phillips shares example after example of Lincoln's style of leadership. According to Phillips, "In order to comprehend modern leadership theory and be successful in the future, leaders must look to the past - to President Abraham Lincoln, for example - who routinely practiced nearly all of the 'revolutionary thinking' techniques that have been preached to American industry in the last ten to fifteen years. Lincoln can be looked to as the ideal model for desirable, effective leadership." We would agree for the most part with his assessment of Abraham Lincoln as a leader. This book highlights a number of wonderful leadership characteristics and skills. The one characteristic that seemed to come to the front the most was Lincoln's ability to be a "Servant Leader." Through Lincoln's own writings and words, plus the writings and words of many others it seems clear that he was a man that understood...

Words: 621 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

American Presidents

...list stood Abraham Lincoln. He was followed by Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Woodrow Wilson, and Harry Truman. None of these other Presidents exceeded Lincoln in any category according to the rate scale. Roosevelt fell into second place because he did not measure up to Lincoln in character. Washington, close behind, ranked third because of his lesser political skills. It is the general opinion of pollsters, moreover, that the average American would probably put Lincoln at the top as well. In other words, the judgment of historians and the public tells us that Abraham Lincoln was the nation's greatest President by every measure applied. Interestingly, had the average Union citizen been asked the same question in the spring of 1863, there can be no doubt but that Lincoln would have fared poorly. Not much more could have been said for him even a year later, when Lincoln thought that he would lose his bid for reelection. It would take Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse and his own death a week later to propel Lincoln into the pantheon of presidential greatness. And Lincoln's canonization began almost immediately. Within days of his death, his life was being compared to Jesus Christ. Lincoln was portrayed to a worshipping public as a self-made man, the liberator of the slaves, and the savior of the Union who had given his life so that others could be free. President Lincoln became Father Abraham, a near mythological...

Words: 938 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

How Did Abraham Lincoln's Assassination Unjust

...The assassination of Abraham Lincoln was unjust because Lincoln was an amazing leader and one of the renown presidents to date, he brought a nation together after a war, was incredibly articulate, as shown by the Gettysburg Address, and created the Emancipation Proclamation which led to the freedom of slaves. However, his assassin, John Wilkes Booth, killed him because he believed the Confederacy would commend him. Lincoln’s assassination happened in 1865 at Ford’s Theater after Booth failed to kidnap him prior to the Confederacy’s downfall. One of the most of atrocious assassinations had happened in the most ironic of areas. The original intention was to use captured Confederate leaders as a ransom for Lincoln but he did not show up where Booth had been ready to take him. The idea was to save the Confederacy by killing Lincoln, the Vice President, and the Secretary of State to gain the advantage over the Union. On the night of the murder, Booth snuck into Lincoln’s box. Booth was a famous actor which is why he was able to get into the box so easily. After he was shot, Lincoln was said to be, “slumped in his chair, paralyzed, and struggling to breathe” (http://www.history.com/topics/abraham-lincoln-assassination)....

Words: 715 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Lincoln

...the list stood Abraham Lincoln. He was followed by Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, Woodrow Wilson, and Harry Truman. None of these other Presidents exceeded Lincoln in any category according to the rate scale. Roosevelt fell into second place because he did not measure up to Lincoln in character. Washington, close behind, ranked third because of his lesser political skills. It is the general opinion of pollsters, moreover, that the average American would probably put Lincoln at the top as well. In other words, the judgment of historians and the public tells us that Abraham Lincoln was the nation's greatest President by every measure applied. Interestingly, had the average Union citizen been asked the same question in the spring of 1863, there can be no doubt but that Lincoln would have fared poorly. Not much more could have been said for him even a year later, when Lincoln thought that he would lose his bid for reelection. It would take Lee's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse and his own death a week later to propel Lincoln into the pantheon of presidential greatness. And Lincoln's canonization began almost immediately. Within days of his death, his life was being compared to Jesus Christ. Lincoln was portrayed to a worshipping public as a self-made man, the liberator of the slaves, and the savior of the Union who had given his life so that others could be free. President Lincoln became Father Abraham, a near mythological...

Words: 938 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

A Summary Of John Wilkes Booth's Assassination

...The Civil War was the bloodiest war in American history. For four years it slogged on, and when it was finished there was much jubilation. On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln, his wife, Major Henry Rathbone and his date Clara Harris attended Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theatre in downtown Washington D.C. However, their revelry was cut short when famous actor John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln and escaped from Ford’s Theatre. For 12 days, manhunters were searching for the most wanted man in America. The 12 day manhunt culminated at the Garrett farm in Northern Virginia with a fiery barn that was an inferno, a dead assassin who was at his prime in life, and a grieving nation left to heal its wounds. John Wilkes Booth committed the...

Words: 2313 - Pages: 10

Free Essay

Two Powerful Women of War

...powerful men during the war of the North and South or ‘War Between the States’ was President Abraham Lincoln’s wife Mary Todd Lincoln, and Varina Davis, wife of the President of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis. These were women from rival governmental systems, yet lived parallel to either in a world where personal tragedies helped to conform them to the world around them. Abraham fell in love with his wife in 1862, while Jefferson Davis met his ‘rose scarlet’ in 1865. Through four years of battles, these two women helped to hold down the fort and maintain our country’s legacy through valiance, grace, and dignity. For a first time in America two presidents ran the nation, alongside the two leading women who stood behind them. Through many of the differences suffered because of the war, the two first ladies both had similarities that brought their unity closer than the men’s although it did not occur to anyone that the women were the ones who were to hold this nation together behind closed doors. Both women were from the South and married men who were very stubborn and affected by the civil war. However, one of the first ladies would be hailed as a public symbol for peace during the war. The other first lady would go on to become a symbol of recourse as the two women who lived in separate White Houses helped to bring about a great change to our nation. Mary Todd Lincoln’s life in the White House came under very harsh conditions. During a very effacing time in the...

Words: 705 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Indian Removal

...Abraham Lincoln: A political Genius [Name of the writer] [Name of the institution] Abraham Lincoln: A political Genius Introduction In 1846, Abraham Lincoln was elected to federal congress. He was a resolute opponent of President Polk, fought the war against Mexico, summoning the president to declare in what place would have happened to the alleged violation of borders. He demanded the extension of rights of the Union against those particular States, abolitionists argued fiercely, calling for the abolition of slavery in the District (1849). He campaigned vigorously for candidates Whigs, presented himself unsuccessfully in the Senate (1849), and refused the governorship of Oregon. He made ​​a brilliant campaign in 1855 and was presented by the State as candidate for vice-presidency of the republic, but not chosen. In 1858, Abraham Lincoln was carried to the Senate election against Stephen A. Douglas won. The debate focused mainly on the admission of Kansas into the Union as slave state or not slavery. The campaign was of utmost importance because Lincoln forced his competitor to speak out against the Dred Scott decision, which alienated some Democrats and then dividing this party, decided his defeat in the presidential election. For the Senate election, Abraham Lincoln had the majority (4000 votes) vote of the electors of the first degree, but the distribution of electoral districts secured eight-vote majority in which Douglas was re-elected. In 1859, he continued the...

Words: 2384 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Henry A Wise: The Mexican-American Civil War

...become free. The impact on American history is undoubtedly long lasting and will forever be hugely accredited to Harriet Tubman. On March 4, 1861 President Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as the 16th President of the United States. Through his time in office, Abraham Lincoln led the United States through the bloodiest war in history, The Civil War. In doing this, he managed to preserve the Union and led the country to the historical abolition of slavery. Abraham Lincoln strengthened the federal government, and modernized the economy. He was assassinated on April 15,1885 and since then Abraham Lincoln’s legacy has had a long lasting impact on America. Abraham Lincoln's assassination increased his legacy to the point of making him a national icon. Lincoln was loved and is still viewed by abolitionists as a champion for human liberty and to many Lincoln was the best President in American history. In conclusion, Henry A Wise lived during an historical time period, while he was alive there were many historical events going on in America. From The Civil War to The Underground Railroad, to the election of Abraham Lincoln. Every event in American history has had an impact on Americans whether good or bad. Henry A Wise lived a long life, he had many children and achieved many great things. Henry left a lasting legacy for his children from being an acclaimed lawyer to being a general in the Civil War. While doing this project I learned about the life and history of Henry Alexander...

Words: 1083 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Sherman's Role In The Civil War

...The Civil War lasting from April 12, 1861 – May 9, 1865, was a war specifically designed to unite the states of America. Although, looking at the Civil War from the future, it may seem like such an easy task to accomplish. But, in all actuality it was far from simple. America owes respect to those noteworthy people who took part in the Civil War, and even those who opposed of it. Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, William T. Sherman, Robert E. Lee, and Clara Barton are few of the important leaders, who played important roles during the civil war. It is appropriate that we begin with Abraham Lincoln, the man who essentially commenced the Civil War with his presidency in 1861. Abraham Lincoln ideology about not the abolition of slavery,...

Words: 858 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Ford's Theater

...Historical Background Ford’s Theater celebrates the legacy of President Abraham Lincoln and explores the American experience through theater and education. A working theater, historical monument, world-class museum and learning center, Ford’s Theater is the premier destination in Washington, D.C., to explore and celebrate Lincoln’s ideals and leadership principles: courage, integrity, tolerance, equality and creative expression. A national treasure for all Americans, Ford’s Theater is a 19th century structure located on 10th street in Washington, D.C. It is a living tribute to President Abraham Lincoln’s love of the performing arts. The active, legitimate theater is a national historic and cultural site welcoming visitors from across the nation. It produces musicals and plays, which embody family values, underscore multiculturalism, and illuminate the eclectic character of American life. The building was founded in 1833 as the First Baptist Church of Washington. In 1861, the congregation leased it to John T. Ford, an extremely successful theatrical entrepreneur from Baltimore. He converted the church into a music hall called “Ford’s Athenaeum.” But, fire destroyed the building 1862. It was reconstructed in the following year as “Ford’s New Theater.” The first performance in the new venue took place on August 27, 1863. This was the site where Lincoln was fatally shot by John Wilkes Booth, during a performance of Our American Cousin, on April 14, 1865. The theater and the Petersen...

Words: 360 - Pages: 2