America After Abraham Lincoln 1
Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, has undoubtedly left a
distinguished mark upon American history. The five years he served in office were certainly some of the most violent and dangerous years of the Republic. From the secession of South Carolina to the surrender of Gen. Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Courthouse, Lincoln’s America faced numerous problems and situations that required a strong leader. In addition, the entire fabric of American democracy and liberalism was attacked. However, in what light must Lincoln be presented? Was Lincoln a simple man, whose development from defender of slavery to its moral opposition can be seen?
In short, no. Lincoln is not a simple personality. By examining official speeches from throughout his time served as President, the official progression from 1861 to 1865 is visible. Lincoln’s 1861 Inaugural Address would, if given in 1865, be almost unrecognizable. Lincoln had greatly changed his rhetoric and war language. Was this change mainly due to a maturation of thought, or instead was this part of a calculated plan developed in order to defeat the rebellious South?
Abraham Lincoln can be considered one of the best leaders the United States of America has ever seen. Lincoln was an intelligent leader who understood what it would take to win the Civil War. As a general rule, mothers do not wish to send their children off to die in a war that is believed to be about a nation’s finances, sectional rivalries, or other government issues. The United States, in 1861, was experiencing the great movement of public opinion that resulted from newspapers and other methods of information transfer (such as the telegraph and trains). It is importa...
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...ion, Lincoln can be said to have re-invigorated American liberalism as well. Therefore, Lincoln’s greatness rests not upon his Emancipation proclamation, or among his winning the war. Instead, the importance of Lincoln lies in his ability to allow the nation to mature and to grow under his Presidency into roughly the same contiguous nation that exists to this date. Abraham Lincoln, then, can truly be called a great leader and President.
9 Declaration of Independence. 4 July 1776.
Works Cited
Boritt, Gabor S. Lincoln, the War President: The Gettysburg Lectures. New York: Oxford UP, 1992.
Lincoln, Abraham. First Inaugural Address. 4 March 1861.
________. Gettysburg Address. 19 November 1863.
________. Second Inaugural Address. 4 March 1865.
United States Constitution. 17 September 1787.
Washington, George. Farewell Address. 1776.
Dilorenzo, Thomas J.. The Real Lincoln: a new look at Abraham Lincoln, his agenda, and an unnecessary war. Roseville, Calif: Prima, 2002
Abraham Lincoln served in many facets of the United States government and was also a respected lawyer in Illinois. He was best known for being elected as the 16th President of the United States of America. As president, Lincoln guided the United States through one of the worst times in American history, the Civil War. From the start of his political career, Lincoln was instrumental in his efforts and eventual success in ending slavery in America. He was known for his public speaking abilities and delivered some of the most popular speeches in United States history. He lived a successful life before the presidency, during the presidency, and up to the time of his tragic death. His life was cut short when he was assassinated in 1865 while still serving as President of the United States. Lincoln was revered as one of the greatest presidents in American history. Prior to becoming one of the most powerful men in the world, Lincoln grew up in a poverty-stricken family.
DiLorenzo, Thomas. The Real Lincoln: A New Look at Abraham Lincoln, His Agenda, and an Unnecessary War. Three Rivers Press, 2003.
Abraham Lincoln was one of the greatest presidents to ever serve in office in the history of the U.S., serving from 1860 to 1865. A self-educated attorney from Illinois, he proved himself to be a brilliant leader throughout the Civil War period. Although President Abraham Lincoln faced the biggest crisis in American history, he saved the nation by preserving the Union during the Civil War, boosting the economy, by fighting for the abolition of slavery, and by boosting the Northern economy.
Without a doubt, Abraham Lincoln is one of the most celebrated people in American history. Between time span of the years 1800-1900, Abraham Lincoln is a man that stands out from the rest because of his accomplishments during life and presidency. Lincoln most definitely helped shape the United States into what it is today, with lasting benefits of equality for all, regardless of skin color. During presidency, Lincoln carried on doing what he wanted to get done despite the lack of support from many and endless death threats. When there was conflict among advisors and himself, his leadership style often involved telling a story that displayed his point. Most of the time this method worked, and many people admired and respected him for it. He
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States, was the president during the most difficult time in American History. While being the president during the Civil War Era, Lincoln had to face and conquer a large amount of difficult missions that helped to save our country. He resembled a dedicated, brave character that had a unique form of leadership that consisted of telling stories to explain his actions and to influence society to follow his lead. Lincoln’s goals as the leader of the country were to abolish slaves and to unify the nation. Abraham Lincoln did not let anything get in his way to improve the United States which makes him the most dedicated, influential American of the period up to 1877.
Lincoln an outspoken challenger against expansion of slavery, defied and articulated in his campaign issues that supported and encouraged slavery and this made him rise up the political ladder to become one of most powerful president that the American has ever had. According to Angle, et al, 1992, Lincoln has consistently been voted by scholars as the greatest Presidents of the time and history.
Lincoln is sometimes criticized, but the fact remains that he had no predecessor who could be an example as Commander-in-Chief. Lincoln “laid the groundwork for succeeding American war presidents,” and he did so calmly and patiently (Dirck 21). Lincoln said concerning the Constitution in his first inaugural address, “No foresight can anticipate, nor any document of reasonable length contain express provisions for all possible questions” (“Washington, D.C., March 1861” 215). So the Civil War was something of a test for the American presidency, and Abraham Lincoln just happened to be given that test.
Abraham Lincoln is perhaps one of the most interesting characters to have ever graced the American political arena and presidency. He is most noteworthy, obviously, for his role in saving the United States from its own destruction and the eradication of the vile Southern tradition of slavery. However, upon deeper inspection, one finds there was much more to Lincoln than his political achievements. Throughout his years as a politician, there's a noticeable shift in terms of his character, and political persona. He seems to go from ambitious and boisterous to being more solemn and reserved. Also, it should be noted that some remark that Lincoln was, quite ironically, both America’s most democratic and autocratic President to have ever held office. However, it seems that though there is abundant evidence for his democratic values, there are little to suggest his autocratic intentions. As though some lines revealing such intent can be found, many are also directly rebutted by powerful democratic rhetoric. All of this can be found in Lincoln’s four main speeches; “A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand”, his Inaugural Addresses and the Gettysburg Address. Basically, in order to properly analyze Lincoln it may be best to look at Lincoln’s personal and political changes within the terms of his antebellum and Civil War “personalities”, as well as to examine his democratic and autocratic leanings; all through scrutinizing Lincoln’s major speeches.
Abraham Lincoln is arguably one of the greatest presidents in the history of the United States. He only served 5 years, but was president in the worst period of American history. He did the unthinkable to many people because of the severity of the decision; he emancipated slaves in the United States. This caused him to be dubbed ‘The Great Emancipator’. The nickname he received is an accurate one because it is a major decision that shaped the future of America. This decision was long overdue and he made sure that the prosperity would not have to deal with the issue of slavery separating the government. Additionally, he was able to change the landscape of the war because the North had affected the South’s way of life. He was very bold for declaring that all slaves will be free, but it was for the improvement of America.
Abraham Lincoln wrote one of the greatest speeches in American history known as the Gettysburg Address. It was not only used as a dedication to the fallen troops of the North and South, but as a speech to give the Union a reason to fight and attempt to unite the divided nation. The sixteenth president’s handling of his speech at Gettysburg demonstrated how the effectiveness of juxtaposition, repetition, and parallelism, could bring unity to a nation deeply divided on beliefs. His speech touched the hearts of many and indirectly put an end to the Civil War. Lincoln may have been considered a tyrant at the time but he was a great leader of a nation, a war, and a democracy.
It is easy to see that Abraham Lincoln truly exemplifies the ideal president in the America. Not only did he abolish the institution of slavery, lead the Union to a victorious outcome in the war, and instill unity throughout the country, he changed thousands of people’s lives and gave America the democratic characteristics that are still displayed today.
Abraham Lincoln is regarded by many Americans as the greatest president to ever hold office in the history of the United States, and his reputation is definitely well deserved. Lincoln wasn't scared to stand up and fight for what he knew was right. He was convinced that within the branches of government, the presidency alone was empowered not only to uphold the Constitution, but also to protect, and defend it. Lincoln was able to lead our country and preserve the Union, keeping the United States from splintering during the devastating times of the Civil War. As President, he built the Republican Party into a strong national organization, and he rallied most of the northern Democrats to the Union cause. On January 1, 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation that changed the war into a battle for freedom and declared forever free those slaves within the Confederacy. That November, Lincoln gave his famous Gettysburg Address, which stated how a country must be dedicated to human freedom in order to survive. He dedicated the battlefield to the soldiers who had perished, and called on the living to finish the task the dead soldiers had begun. (Donald, 1995) Lincoln believed that democracy could be a lasting form of government. He showed a nobility of character that had worldwide appeal, and he was a man of great integrity. However, Lincoln was not only the 16th president of the United States, he was an American hero. Lincoln was a well-rounded individual and he had numerous outstanding qualities. However, it is important to remember that Lincoln also led a private life, complete with close friends and family.
There is no doubt that Abraham Lincoln is widely regarded as one of the great American presidents. The general public, when asked about Lincoln, will often tell the tale of a great man. Holding their head high, they will embark on the journey of a benevolent leader, praising the man who envisioned a new America: a great country of racial equality, and the pillar of human liberty. There are some, however, who have quite the opposite view.
Over the course of the past years, there have been many presidents and debates whether or not they have been beneficial to the United States of America. Even though there have been other great presidents, people should know that Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president was unquestionably an astonishing president. He was a great president because of how he: lead the union to victory, helped slaves to freedom, and issued the Emancipation Proclamation.