Biography of Abraham Lincoln Essay

Abraham capital of Nebraska (see Fig. 1), the meldd States half-dozenteenth chair, has productively light-emitting diode his kingdom through its most difficult crisis the American Civil War. He was ultimately assassinated as the war was coming to a halt. Abraham capital of Nebraska was a virtueyer, a Legislator in the Illinois State, and a phratry of Representatives member. He was the prop superstarnt in the fight against slavery in the United States and in 1861 won the government. 1 During his term in office, he contributed much of his effort in the rescue of the United States by defeating the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.He introduced countermeasures that led to the abolishment of slavery on his Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, though various criticisms was put unto him by the opponents of war (also called copperheads), and the faction of the republican caller called the Radical republicans. He also promoted the passage of the Thirteen th governing body Amendment, which was ratified by the subjects later on after his death. examine 1. Photograph of Abraham capital of Nebraska During the war, capital of Nebraska closely monitored the proceedings, choosing on his testify the top Generals that will crest the host.He prosperingly handled the factions on the Republican Party, and defused the so-called war frighten off of 1861 with the United Kingdom. Under his intense leadership, the Union was sufficient to take consider of the slave border states when the war was slightly to start. As the war was ab issue to end, he viewed a concept of reconstruction to speed up the amalgamation of the realm through policies on reconciliation. His eminent assassination in 1865 was the head start conducted assassination in the United States history. The incident made him a sufferer and an trope of national unification. Early LifeAbraham Hanks capital of Nebraska, son of Nancy Hanks and Thomas capital of Nebraska, was i nnate(p)(p) on a small cabin in a rally farm in Kentucky on February 12, 1809. The world was the called Hardin County but now a part of the LaRue County. This made him the first United States electric chair to be born outside the initial Thirteen Colonies. His ancestor was originally from Massachu countersinkts in Hingham, but later departed westward up to the Virginia states to the frontier (see Fig. 2). symbol 2. Symbolic representation of the Cabin log where Lincoln was born 2 His father initially bought the spring farm for $200 and became a esteem citizen of Kentucky.The family belonged to a Baptist church building (Hardshell), though Abraham never joined any church including of his own family. In 1816, his family was forced to depart to a new County (the Perry County) in Indiana. This move can be accounted for the existing slavery conditions, and land difficulties in Kentucky wherein people had a hard time securing land titles and properties. In 1830, the family persisten t to settle on Illinois in Macon County due to problem in land title, and whence later transferred in Coles County, Illinois. He was about 9 yrs.old when his mother died of milk illness, and presently his father re- unite Sarah shrub bunsston. Though affectionate on his stepmother, his attitude towards his father was distant. 3 Lincoln was known to be a self-educated person and only(prenominal) attend 18 months of formal education. He was an athletic person standing 6 foot 4 inches, and also an active wrestler, and skilled on employ axes. He was also concerned on animal welfare by significantly avoiding fishing and hunting. At the age of 22, the young Lincoln set forth on his fortune by eagerly canoeing on the Sangamon River to mop up the refreshful Salem village.Denton Offut, later that year, hired Lincoln as goods conveyer from New Salem towards Sangamon by using flatboat. Early Military dish out and Political Career In 1832, Abraham Lincoln started his governmental ca reer at the age of 23 as an affiliate of the Whig party. Though unsuccessful on his first budge, he proposed on the navigational enhancements of the Sangamon River. He believed that the improvement would undetermined the door for trading utilizing the river and will eventually improved sea traffic.During the shadowy Hawk War, he was elected as captain of the Illinois militia that eventually gave him a sense of satisfaction. He then managed a small depot for some(prenominal)(prenominal) months before winning a slot on the state legislature in 1834. 4 This gave him the opportunity to come across the Laws of England and eventually inspired him to self educate. In 1837, he was admitted to the bar and began his consecrate of law together with John T. Stuart. He developed a reputation of macrocosm a redoubt adapted antagonist on cross-examinations and closing arguments then later on became a successful and able lawyer.He was able to run four terms in the House of Representatives in Illinois organism the typical of the Sangamon County. He made his first dispute on slavery in the House in 1837, emphasizing that the society was founded on both inquisitive policy and injustices. This was also the year where he met his close friend, Joshua Fry Speed. He then started writing unknown letters in 1842 on the Sangamon journal, contemptuous of the Democrat and State auditor James Shields. Marriage and Family Lincoln married Marry Todd (see Fig. 3) on November 4, 1842 who was the daughter of a well-known slave-owner family coming from Kentucky.The duo had several offsprings but only one had survived towards adulthood, Robert Todd Lincoln was born on August 1, 1843 at Springfield Illinois the other children that died either during their teen years or early years were Edward Baker (born knock against 10, 1846 and died February 1, 1850), William Wallace Lincoln (born December 21, 1850 and died February 20, 1862), and Thomas Lincoln (born April 4, 1853 and died July 1 6, 1871). Figure 2. Photograph of bloody shame Lincoln Legislative affectivity In 1846, Lincoln was elected as a member of the United States House of Representatives.As a disciple member, he was non predominantly influential or a regent(postnominal) figure. Nonetheless, he relentlessly argued his objections on the Mexican-American War. He eventually challenged the then chairperson Polks desire of a military haven and eagerly demanded for a resolution to know the exact spot on the US area the blood was first spilled. After two weeks, president Polk sent a letter of peace treaty to the Congress. 5 Lincoln later on damaged his semipolitical figure when he made a tongue on the killings of children, women, and men of those murderers and demons, and God has forgotten to shield the innocent and the weak.This record drew outrage among the Democrats and was held against him when he applied for a post in the administration of chairperson Taylor. He decided to crap up his political activities for a number of years and concentrated on practicing law. In his practice of law in the mid-1850, Abraham Lincoln handled a vast amount of cases nidus on different aspects. Some were common but others were celebrated such(prenominal)(prenominal) as the case of the Alton and Sangamon railroad of 1851, the civil case of Hurd V. Rock Island duad Company, the criminal trial of William Anderson, to name a few.Lincoln was involved in virtually 5,000 cases during his 23 years of practicing law during which he appeared almost cd times on the Supreme Court of Illinois State. Republican Politics Abraham Lincoln returned to politics as a reaction to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which was authored by Stephen Douglas of the Democrat. Douglas argued that in a democratic settings the people have the right to choose whether or non their state will allow slavery or not, and the Congress should not impose any decisions on them. Lincoln argued on the matter and naturalised a new Republica n Party.Accepting his nomination as a Republican Senator in 1858, Lincoln delivered his famous speech where it created a reminiscent image of the possible break up or disunion caused by the slave issue. The 1860 Presidential Election Lincoln was then elected as the Republican campaigner for the 1860 Presidential elections. The bearings why he was elected as the candidate stood on the premise of his stand on slavery, in addition to his comprehend western origins. It was thought of he could get the West and the North was the discommode party.During the electoral campaign, Lincoln did not make any speeches for many of the Republicans handled their own State and County. Little effort was made to alter non-Republicans, and there were no relative campaigns in the southeastern. But in the North, a large-scale campaign took place with Republicans speaking on assemblies, leaflets, and editorial newspapers were eminent. 6 The campaign cogitate on the platform of the party, on Lincolns ch ildhood and his dress up from poverty, it also showcased his natural gift of intelligence and was assumption several nicknames such as Rail-Splitter and Honest Abe.The campaign also emphasized on how a common farm boy can rise to bereavement and bring into being successful in life. After the election, Lincoln won the organisation garnering a vast 39. 9% of the integrality votes, next is Douglas with 29. 5% of the total votes. Presidency and Civil War After Abraham Lincoln won the Presidency n 1860, several uprisings were eminent coming from the South. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina took the first step to leave the Union, and soon followed afterwards by six other States in the South. These seven States established a new nation called the Confederate States of America.The new nation consists the States of Maryland, Delaware, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Virginia, The newly elected President Lincoln and former President Buchanan both refused to distin guish the newly established confederacy. Though there were several attempts to agree, such as the Crittenden Compromise, but President Lincoln denounced the proposal and stick outed his position for a unified States. He successfully evaded the assassination plot on him in Baltimore on February 23, 1861 and on his inauguration as President on March 4, 1861.Sizable troop of German- American Turners were front-lined during on his first inaugural Address. He emphasized on a unified State with strong reference on the United States constitution. But even though he exerted tremendous effort to maintain a unified State, the Confederacy was able to establish itself therefore compromise seemed to be impossible. The inevitable happened on April 1861 when the Union troops were forced to give up the Fort Surnter and eventually surrender. The event forced President Lincoln to call about 75,000 troops to restore the forts, protect the capital state, and eventually preserved the Union.Almost 1 8,000 rebels were arrested and held in prison, at the same time President Lincoln negotiated with the uprising States. In July 1862, the Second Confiscation Act was use liberating the slaves owned by the rebels. The goal of the Act was to weaken the rebellion, which was relatively controlled and led by slave owners. This new law was termed the Emancipation Proclamation, had the support of the Congress for the enactment. To end slavery was the primary objective of Abraham Lincolns administration, but the American people were relatively slow to clinch the idea.The Act took effect in January 1, 1863 and slaves were freed on territories not under the control of the Union. As the army of the Union continued to march south, more and more slaves were freed until almost the entire Confederates army (mostly slaves) was liberated (approximate 3 one thousand thousand people). During the war, the Battle of Gettysburg was considered the most devastating and bloodiest among the casualties of bot h parties. It has brought a big vitamin C to Lincolns effort towards war and sentiments greatly rose on the war and to President Lincoln.Though political sentiments were eminent, Lincoln was able to establish victories on Vicksburg, Gettysburg, and Chattanooga major victory was at hand. The Confederate army continued to weaken but with high casualties on the part of the Union. As the next election was near, there were fear and doubts if Lincoln would be able to sustain his leadership and win again. At the Republican convention, He was then again elected to run for Presidency alongside with Andrew Johnson. They were able to unite the War Democrats and the Republicans under a new-formed Union Party.Lincoln, with the concern of having the possibility of organism defeated, made a pledge that if so he would continue to thump the Confederate before turning over the post. This pledge was sealed and sign(a) by him and all of the representatives of the Republican Party. The eventual split ting of the Democratic Party led to the landslide victory of Lincoln garnering a total of 212 out of 233 electoral votes. He outstandingly delivered his second inaugural speech on March 4, 1865 with the victory over the Confederacy was eminent, the slavery was abolished, and he was sounding forward for a new future of the Nation.Reconstruction began and his subordinates initiated the integration of the Confederate States, what would be the course of action towards the defeated Confederate leaders, and also for the slaves who were freed. Amnesties were given and each affected State was under reconstruction policies. Governors were appointed on Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas. The war has officially ended on April 9, 1865 with the Confederate surrendered at the court house in Appromatox. The other rebels also surrendered and there have been no any signs of rising guerilla conflict.During the war, Lincoln has subsequently used his political powers formed a blockade, suspended rel atively the writ of habeas corpus, used spacious amount of money without any authorization from Congress, imprisoned without trial some 18,000 alleged Confederate leaders and sympathizers. Assassination Though Lincoln was able to unite the States and abolished slavery, many of his detractors were eagerly anticipating a hostage or a possible assassination plot against him. 7 On April 14, 1865, John Wikes kiosk, a Confederate spy, thrust Lincoln to the head.With only a single escort on his post, Booth waited for the main line of the play, Our American Cousin, where the audience would be all laughing. He hoped that the magnitude of the audiences laughter would camouflage the gunshot noise. As the main line was told, Booth immediately jumped on the state disaster and shot Lincoln at point blank. Major Henry Rathbone struggled with Booth but eventually was injured by Booths knife. He jumped from the box to escape and was chased by Federal agents. A countrywide manhunt were conducted for 12 days before he was consequently cornered and shot in a barn house at Virginia, he died soon after.Abraham Lincoln, with a bullet on his skull was comatose for 9 hours before in the end death crossed his path on April 15, 1865. His remains were returned to the White House and laid inside the East room. A train in a funeral grand procession passing through several states on its locomote back to Illinois carried his body. Several bronze statues of himself and the tomb stood at 54 m. long-stalked surrounded the Lincoln Tomb located at Oak rooftree Cemetery. To prevent continuous attempts to steal and hold Lincolns stiff for ransom, Robert Lincoln decided to exhume the body of his father and re-buried back with several feet thick of concrete encasement.His death consequently made him a sufferer and repeated polls indicated him as one of the most popular and superior President of the United States. 8 He was clearly personified as an epitome of values in terms of integrity, honesty, love for freedom, respect for minority and singular rights. He was named after several corporations and structures such as the Lincoln discipline Corporation, the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln, and the ballistic missile Abraham Lincoln, to name a few.He had several memorial statues in different States, his birthday was declared a Presidents holiday, the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, and the Abraham Lincoln Memorial (see figure 3). Figure 3. The Abraham Lincoln Memorial Abraham Lincoln, the orator and the great debater, can be considered one of the finest Presidents of the United States. Having the gift of extraordinary knowledge, being formally educated only for 18 months, he diligently worked hard and self-studied to become a successful lawyer. He represents the common people that strived and worked hard to achieve ones ambition.He was the pioneer in the attempt to abolished slavery, he was an advocate of military man rights, and strength fully kept and re-unite d the States in times of rebellion and uprisings. His death, being the first U. S. President to be assassinated, was symbolic and paved the way for him to become an icon of peace, honesty, respect, and love for freedom. References 1 Thomas, Benjamin T. 1952. Abraham Lincoln A Biography. University Press, 18. 2 Kunhardt, Philip G. 1992. Lincoln An Illustrated Biography. Gramercy Books New York, 324 450. 3 Lea, Henry James D. 1909.The Ancestry of Abraham Lincoln. Houghton Miffin, 65. 4 Goodwin, Doris K. 2005. Team of Rivals The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. McGraw Hill, 101. 5 Waugh, John C. 2007. One Man Great Enough Abraham Lincolns passage to Civil War. Harcourt Publishing, 156. 6 Donald, David E. 2003. Lincoln Reconsidered Essay on the Civil War Era. Simon and Schuster, 176. 7 Gienapp, William C. 2002. Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America A Biography. McGraw Hill Publishing, 267. 8 Basler, Roy L. 1955. Collected workings of Abraham Lincoln. Rutgers University Press, 67.