Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth President of the United States who led the country to victory during the American Civil War and contributed profoundly towards ending the widespread slavery in America. Before being elected to the Presidency; Lincoln was a successful lawyer, an Illinois state legislator and a member of the United States House of Representatives. His presidency is primarily marked by his illustrious success in defeating the secessionists, abolition of slavery and neutralizing a war-like situation with the United Kingdom in 1861.

1860 Presidential Election:  Abraham Lincoln moved to Republican Party in 1954 and on May 9-10, 1860, he received his first endorsement to run for the presidency. On 6 November, 1860, he became the first Republican president to win entirely on the strength of his support in the North, as there was no campaigning in the South except for a few border cities. With this landslide victory, Lincoln became the 16^th President of the United States. He was the first and only one President elected from Illinois, until Barrack Obama was elected in 2008. With this election, the Republican Party emerged as the nation’s first major sectional party. 

 By the time Lincoln took charge, while no leaders of the Confederacy proposed a compromise, nearly every Republican leader refused to accept secession on any terms. Lincoln decided not to take any action against the South, unless the Unionists themselves were attacked, which finally happened in 1861. In April 1861, after the Unionists were attacked and forced to surrender, Lincoln called on the governors of all states to protect the capital and “preserve the Union”. Virginia refused to join the attack on another state and seceded along with North Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas. After the fighting started, thousands of rebellions were arrested or exiled during the suppression of secessionists.

Emancipation Proclamation & Second Inauguration: Abolition of Slavery was the primary goal of Abraham Lincoln. In July 1862, Congress moved to free the slaves by passing the Second Confiscation Act. Though the act did not end the legal institution of slavery, Congressional support to Lincoln’s efforts in liberating slaves became obvious. The new law was implemented with Lincoln’s “Emancipation Proclamation”. The “Emancipation Proclamation” was announced on 22 September and came into effect on 1 January 1863. With this, abolition of slavery in rebel states became a national goal which freed slaves in territories not under Union Control. Taking a move ahead, Lincoln devoted himself to passage of thirteenth amendment to abolish slavery permanently throughout the nation. In the light of his outstanding work, Lincoln was re-elected as President in 1864 election and delivered his second inaugural speech on 4 March 1965. At that time, slavery was dead and the rebels were no more a threat.

The War and Reconstruction: Lincoln wanted to take active part in determining the war strategy and throughout the war, he emerged himself in military campaigns. During the war, he authorized his commander to target civilians and destroy infrastructure, with a view to weaken South’s morale and its economic ability to continue the war. Reconstruction of the United States began during the war with continuous efforts to reintegrate the United States. Under his Amnesty Proclamation, issued on 8 December 1863, Lincoln decided to offer pardon to those who had not held a Confederate civil office, had not mistreated Union prisoners; on the clause to sign an oath of faithfulness. As soon as the states were recaptured, Lincoln called for a speedy election to determine the unity and reconstruction of the United States. Towards the end of the war, Lincoln visited Virginia after it was taken by the Union forces to give a message that the President of the United States held authority over the entire land. The President came back from his visit on 9 April, 1865 and soon after, the war was over with rebel armies surrendering to the Union forces. After the war was over, Lincoln took measures that determined the democracy and equality in America and ensured a “Republic form of Government.” 

Lincoln signed the Homestead Act in 1862, which made acres of government held land available for purchase at a very low cost. The Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act was also signed in the same year which provided governments grant for agricultural universities in each state. The National Banking Acts of 1863, 1864, and 1865, formed a strong national financial system. In a milestone step towards economic stability, the Legal Tender Act of 1862 was signed which established the United Nations Note, the first paper currency in the American history.

Assassination: He was the first President to be assassinated in the American history. He was assassinated on 14 April 1865 and was stated dead on 15 April 1865 at 7:22 a.m. His assassin, John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor and a Confederate spy shot him at skull while he was attending a theatre. After Lincoln’s body was returned to The White House, a brain autopsy was performed to determine the cause of the death. Investigation ensued and John Booth was caught after a twelve-day manhunt and shot. He eventually died of his wounds soon after.

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