Abraham Lincoln

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Log Cabin at the Lincoln Living Historical Farm

Abes House

Abraham Lincoln by Nicholas Shepherd, 1846-crop

Abraham Lincoln by Hesler, 1857

Abraham Lincoln by Byers, 1858 - crop

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the nation through its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis in the American Civil War. He succeeded in preserving the Union, abolishing slavery, bolstering the federal government, and modernizing the U.S. economy.

Early Life

Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Hardin County, Kentucky, to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. In 1816, the Lincoln family moved to Indiana, a free territory, and settled in Spencer County. Lincoln's formal education was limited to brief periods in local schools, as he had to work to support his family. Despite this, he was an avid reader and educated himself through reading.

Political Career

Lincoln's political career began in 1832 when he ran unsuccessfully for the Illinois state legislature. He was elected to the state legislature in 1834 as a member of the Whig Party. Lincoln served four successive terms in the Illinois House of Representatives and became a prominent local leader. He was admitted to the bar in 1836 and began practicing law in Springfield, Illinois.

In 1846, Lincoln was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served one term. He returned to Springfield and resumed his law practice. Lincoln reentered politics in the 1850s, opposing the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the expansion of slavery into the American territories, which led to his joining the Republican Party.

Presidency

Lincoln won the 1860 Republican presidential nomination and was elected the 16th President of the United States. His election prompted seven southern slave states to form the Confederate States of America. Lincoln faced the immediate threat of secession and managed the Union war effort during the Civil War. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which declared that all slaves in Confederate-held territory were to be set free.

Lincoln was re-elected in 1864, defeating Democratic nominee George McClellan. His leadership during the Civil War preserved the Union and paved the way for the abolition of slavery. Lincoln also signed legislation that promoted economic modernization, including the establishment of the United States National Banking System and the Homestead Act.

Assassination

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor and Confederate sympathizer, on April 14, 1865, at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. He died the following day, becoming the first U.S. president to be assassinated. Lincoln's death was mourned by millions and had a profound impact on the nation.

Legacy

Lincoln is remembered as one of the greatest Presidents of the United States. His leadership during the Civil War preserved the Union and led to the abolition of slavery. Lincoln's speeches and writings, particularly the Gettysburg Address and his second inaugural address, are celebrated for their profound insights into the American ideals of freedom and democracy. 0