When Referring To Abraham Lincoln During His Presidency,

When referring to Abraham Lincoln during his presidency, he is often remembered as â€Å"The Great Emancipator†. Upon looking into his earlier life, one can develop firm conclusions as to what factors influenced Lincoln. One can also call into question whether his actions toward emancipation were sufficient, or if he deserves credit at all. Various events before Lincoln’s presidency allowed his opinions of the institution of slavery to develop. During his childhood, he was exposed to slavery, while his career as a lawyer allowed him to defend colored individuals. His political career also allowed him to express his views on many of the pieces of legislation meant to deal with slavery. Abraham Lincoln’s attitude towards the institution of†¦show more content†¦There are two occasions where he was involved in the question of whether or not residence in Illinois meant freedom from slavery. In the cases where Lincoln defended an African American, he stuck to the law as opposed to fighting it and used specific evidence. This trait would aid him after his career as a lawyer when he decided to run for the Illinois seat in Congress. Lincoln disagreed with Stephen Douglas on the status of slavery. When debating against Stephen Douglas for the Illinois seat, Lincoln spoke objectively and factually as opposed to his more subjective and racially based opponent. As Abraham Lincoln became more politically involved, he attempted to oppose the expansion of slavery. Lincoln realized that despite having anti-slavery views, he did not know how to combat slavery directly through the political system. Therefore, he turned his focus towards the expansion of slavery rather than the institution itself. In doing so, He appeared as less radical to the south and gained some support from them rather than the fervent opposition an abolitionist would receive. Lincoln supported legislation such as the Fugitive Slave act of 1850, so long as it did not allow free b lacks to be converted back into slaves. He opposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, however, because not only did it allow the opportunity for slavery to expand past theShow MoreRelated Abraham Lincoln Essay1464 Words   |  6 Pages Abraham Lincoln sprang to the presidency from extremely humble and tragic roots. His father, Thomas, and his mother, Nancy, were both illiterate. When Abraham was young, he had a sister who died as an infant and a brother who died as a boy. When Abraham was nine years old, his mother tragically died, leaving him in the care of only his father, who, within the year of his wife’s death, remarried a widow, Sarah Bush Johnston. Sarah was extremely kind to Lincoln and encouraged his developing love ofRead MoreAbraham Lincoln : The Great Emancipator1590 Words   |  7 PagesSarmiento 6 Abraham Lincoln: The Great Emancipator During Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, the United States was divided into North and South, who were at war with one another. Recognizing the nation needed a determined leader to guide them into prosperity, Lincoln devised his plan for success. Lincoln’s attempts to preserve the North, while uniting them with the South seemed to be failing as the war continued throughout his first term. Once Lincoln got reelected in 1864, he set out to succeed in his missionRead MoreWhy Did John Wilkes Booth Killed President Abraham Lincoln876 Words   |  4 PagesWhen John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, it was a life changing event for the whole country. It took many days for the country to know that Abraham Lincoln had been assassinated. Then, everyone wanted to know why. Why did John Wilkes Booth assassinate Lincoln? Did he do it to be evil or did it for a specific reason? The fact that John Wilkes Booth assassinated Lincoln was unexpected. He was a famous actor that had no criminal background. Nobody had any clue why he chose to doRead MoreEssay on Abraham Lincoln on Slavery2158 Words   |  9 PagesAbraham Lincoln on Slavery Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky (Abraham Lincoln Slavery and the Civil War, pg. 211, Johnson). Many Americans believe him to be one of the greatest presidents to ever serve in office. One thing that distinguished Lincoln from all the other former presidents was his distinct philosophy on slavery: that it is unfair and unjust to enslave another human being. Lincoln supported his opinion with a simple formula labeled the ‘Fragment onRead MoreAbraham Lincoln: Great Emancipator or Common Politician?1487 Words   |  6 PagesPresident Abraham Lincoln has been revered as one of the greatest presidents in the history of the United States. He is known for his great effect on slavery and served his terms during the civil war in a time of great controversy. The American Civil War (1860-1865) occurred at the exact time of Lincolns presidency (1861-1865). The North and the South were divided and a big issue was slavery, on which Lincoln took an anti-slavery s tance. Lincoln has been called many things because of his views fromRead MoreComparing Jfk and Lincolns Inagural Speeches Essay1402 Words   |  6 PagesAndrew Worthington 11/26/12 Addressing the Nation Throughout the history of the United States of America, there have been many leaders. President Abraham Lincoln and President John F. Kennedy are arguably two of the greatest presidents that this country has had. Whether it was 1865, during the bloodiest war in the history of the US, or 1961, during the most tense international power struggle that we have ever faced, these men were able to do what was needed to get the job done. The one ideal thatRead MoreEssay about Abraham Lincoln as a Dangerous Speaker2476 Words   |  10 Pages   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people remember President Abraham Lincoln as being a very gifted orator as well as a dignified leader of our country. Through his many speeches and writings, Abraham Lincoln captivated American minds and gained millions of followers. In Lincolns Perpetuation speech, given before the Young Mens Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois, in 1838, Lincoln himself stated that our country was in great danger. He speaks of people such as Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar and Napoleon and then asksRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln Essay1458 Words   |  6 PagesAbraham Lincoln is a name most commonly associated with our country’s Civil War and the abolition of slavery. When one thinks of this name, one usually envision’s his tall, slender physique and that iconic tall black hat. His face can usually be seen with a look of concern and depth in his eyes. This man faced not only guiding his country through a state of grave danger, but also terrible traged ies that would destabilize his personal life. Lincoln would come to lose two of his children (theRead MoreEssay about The Life of Abraham Lincoln2496 Words   |  10 PagesThe Life of Abraham Lincoln Although other states such as Indiana lay claim to his birth, most sources agree that Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a backwoods cabin in Hodgeville, Kentucky. In an interview during his campaign for the presidency in 1860 Lincoln described his adolescence as quot;the short and simple annals of the poor.quot; (p 30). His father Thomas was a farmer who married Nancy Hanks, his mother, in 1806. Lincoln had one sister, Sarah, who was born in 1807.TheRead MoreRebuilding the Government: United States History1998 Words   |  8 Pagesï » ¿ Critical Essay One Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president, was one of the most decorated commander-in-chiefs in American History, due to his never-ending push to mend our broken nation and move to the beginning. Nevertheless, many African Americans were forced to come to America to be sold into slavery in 1619. While the treatment of slaves was very unfair and, in many cases, inhumane, and was plagued with a lifetime