Abraham Lincoln: A Comprehensive Overview

This page provides a detailed grid summarizing Lincoln's biographical information, historical context, and lasting impact on America and its international position.

Biographical Information: • 16th President of the United States (1861-1865) • Preserved the Union during the Civil War • Abolished slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation and 13th Amendment • Strengthened the federal government • Modernized the U.S. economy • Opposed the Crittenden Compromise, which would have allowed slavery to expand westward

Historical Background: • The 19th century saw the United States deeply divided over slavery • The American Civil War resulted in over 600,000 deaths • Lincoln rose from a childhood of poverty to become a lawyer and politician • Renowned for his oratorical skills • Opposed slavery, inspired by figures like John Brown • Faced the challenge of a fragmenting Union upon taking office • Led the country through its bloodiest conflict, the Civil War

Achievements and Legacy: • Successfully preserved the Union • Achieved the abolition of slavery in all states • Assassinated due to anger and hatred from opponents • Remembered as the savior of the Union and emancipator of enslaved people • Became a global symbol for democracy and freedom • Admired by many, but also hated by those who opposed his policies, particularly slave traders

Political Career: • Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (1834-1842) • U.S. Representative from Illinois (1847-1849) • President of the United States (1861-1865)

Highlight: Lincoln's presidency marked a turning point in American history, fundamentally altering the nature of the federal government and enshrining the principles of equality and freedom in the Constitution.

Example: The Gettysburg Address, delivered by Lincoln in 1863, is considered one of the most important speeches in American history, eloquently restating the principles of human equality outlined in the Declaration of Independence.

Lincoln's Achievements for America

This page summarizes the most significant accomplishments of Abraham Lincoln's presidency, which profoundly shaped the course of American history.

Lincoln's presidency was defined by four major achievements:

1. Preserving the Union: Lincoln's unwavering commitment to maintaining the United States as a single, indivisible nation guided his actions throughout the Civil War.

2. Abolishing slavery: Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation and his support for the 13th Amendment led to the end of slavery in the United States.

3. Bolstering the federal government: Lincoln's actions during the Civil War significantly strengthened the power and authority of the federal government.

4. Modernizing the U.S. economy: Lincoln's policies, including the establishment of a national banking system and support for railroads, helped lay the foundation for America's industrial growth.

Definition: The Emancipation Proclamation was an executive order issued by President Lincoln on January 1, 1863, declaring that all enslaved people in Confederate states were free.

Example: Lincoln's support for the Transcontinental Railroad, authorized by the Pacific Railway Act of 1862, exemplifies his efforts to modernize the American economy and unite the country.