Abraham Lincoln

A Lesson

Abraham Lincoln

• He failed as a business man - as a storekeeper. He failed as a farmer - he despised this work.

• He failed in his first attempt to obtain political office.• When elected to the legislature he failed when he sought

the office of speaker.• He failed in his first attempt to go to Congress.• He failed when he sought the appointment to the United

States Land Office.• He failed when he ran for the United States Senate.• He failed when friends sought for him the nomination for

the vice-presidency in 1856.

His Life

• Born in Kentucky• Raised in Indiana• Resided in Illinois• Married to Mary Todd• Four children

– Eddie dies at 6 (1850)

• Clerk, surveyor, lawyer, politician

Suspended Writ of Habeus Corpus

• This suspension triggered the most heated and serious constitutional disputes of the Lincoln Administration.

• The Constitution permits the suspension of the writ in "cases of rebellion and when the public safety" requires it. – But it is unclear who

has the power, Congress or the President.

The Emancipation Proclamation

• During Lincoln’s 1st Inaugural Address in 1861:“I have no purpose…to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. I believe I have no lawful right to.”

• What changed his mind???• In 1863, Lincoln freed the slaves in the

south by the Emancipation Proclamation

Emancipation Proclamation

• It didn’t free slaves in border states loyal to the Union……why not???

Effects• Changed the purpose of the war for the

North…war for freedom• Swayed British opinion to the Union

side• Persuaded blacks to enlist in the Union

Army.

The Civil War• The Civil War was taking a toll on

Lincoln’s health.• Lost 20 lbs during 1st four years as

President.• Spent many nights pacing the White

House, thinking about his next move.

• People claimed he was blood thirsty, “The Illinois Beast”

• Pleas for peace came in from across the country

• What else could he have done though?

Abe before the war, 1860 Abe after the war, 1864

Humaneness Executive MansionWashington, Nov.21, 1864

To Mrs. Bixby, Boston, Mass.Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts, that you are the mother of five sonswho have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. ButI cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to havelaid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom.

Yours very sincerely and respectfullyA. Lincoln

Assassination

Lincoln’s Plan

• “With malic toward none, with charity for all”.

• Lincoln supported lenient plans for Reconstruction.

• 10% Plan (Lincoln): Once ten percent of a southern state's 1860 voters had taken an oath of loyalty, the state could rejoin the Union.

• John Wilkes Booth did not allow Lincoln to carry through.