Presidency of Abraham Lincoln Essays - 1486 Words

Many Americans believed that the election of 1860 would decide the fate of the Union. The Democratic Party was the only party in the national scope. The convention in Charleston, South Carolina in 1860 split the Democratic Party. Stephen Douglas wanted his party’s presidential nomination, but he could not afford to alienate northern voters by accepting the southern position on the territories. However, Southern Democrats insisted on recognition of their rights, as the Dred Scott decision had defined them and they moved to block Douglas’s nomination( Bialy, 2007, p. 383). Douglas obtained a majority for his version of the platform, delegates from the South walked out of the convention. After compromise efforts the Democrats presented two†¦show more content†¦Victory was won in the Electoral College for Lincoln. This election firmly established the Republicans who held presidency for 60 of the next 100 years. He helped form the new Republican Party, drawing on re mnants of the old Whig, Free Soil, Liberty and Democratic parties. The core issue of the Republican Party, and Lincoln was over the extension of slavery. Abolitionists and supporters of free soil in the North worked to keep the Republicans from compromising on their territorial stand. In the South, proslavery advocates and secessionists gathered public opinion and demanded that state conventions assemble to consider secession. Lincoln made the decision not to soften his party’s position on the territories. Lincoln wrote of the necessity of maintaining the bond of faith between voter and candidate and â€Å"of declining to set â€Å"the minority over the majority†. Although many conservatives Republicans, eastern businessmen, and former Whigs were adamant to stop the expansion of the peculiar institution† (Bialy, 2007, p.384). Senator John J. Crittenden of Kentucky tried to put together a late-hour compromise. Hoping to avoid disunion, Crittenden proposed that the two sections divided the territories between them at latitude 36 º30. The southerners would agree to this proposal only if the Republicans did, too, they wanted no less and knew that extremist in the South would demand more. LincolnShow MoreRelatedThe Life And Presidency Of Abraham Lincoln1375 Words   |  6 Pagesthese traits through personal experience or through exemplary leadership. The life and presidency of Abraham Lincoln â€Å"demonstrated that he possessed all of the great leadership qualities.† (Phillips). Lincoln’s philosophies on interacting amongst troops, encouraging innovation, handling unjust criticism, and being a master of paradox are still applicable in modern day pharmacy practice. When Abraham Lincoln took his oath in becoming the next president the nation was facing what seemed as an insurmountableRead MoreEssay on The Exceptional Presidency of Abraham Lincoln1019 Words   |  5 PagesWhen Abraham Lincoln was elected president, he inherited a nation entrenched in chaos. Throughout his presidency he led the Union through a trying period highlighted by the secession, the institution of slavery, and the greatest internal conflict in the history of the United States, the Civil War. Lincoln stuck to his principles during this arduous time and through this was able to re-unite the nation. With no historical precedents to help validate his actions, Lincoln still succeeded in bringingRead MoreAbraham Lincoln s Lifetime And Presidency945 Words   |  4 PagesJames McPherson views Abraham Lincoln throughout his lifetime and presidency. In writing Abraham Lincoln, McPherson sought to concisely capture the most important events of Lincoln’s life along with his input on why he felt that Lincoln was such a tremendous leader. The three main points of his argument include Lincoln’s prior government experience and stance on issues, his changes while in office, and the overall opinions of the general public during his time in office. Lincoln highly disliked hisRead MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln s Presidency1589 Words   |  7 Pagestime of Abraham Lincoln’s presidency, Lincoln made a vast number of speeches and wrote many letters. These letters and speeches focused on a variety of topics and issues that were prominent before, during, and after the time of the Civil War. During this time, slavery was one of, if not the top main issue in the United States. Lincoln was very outspoken on his views of slavery, what he wanted to happen, and what he did not want to happen with the institution. One of the main points that Lincoln makesRead MoreWhen Referring To Abraham Lincoln During His Presidency,1914 Words   |  8 PagesWhen ref erring 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 hisRead MoreAbraham Lincoln and the Fourth Estate: The White House and the Press During the American Civil War by Richard Carwardine565 Words   |  3 PagesIn â€Å"Abraham Lincoln and the Fourth Estate: The White House and the Press during the American Civil War† Richard Carwardine discusses the incredible increase in the Press’ contribution to the American Civil War. Carwardine explains Abraham Lincoln’s role with the media and his use of newspapers as polit ical weaponry from before the election and into his presidency. This topic is significant because it illustrates Abraham Lincoln’s intelligence and strengths as a president during the Civil War. TheRead MoreAbraham Lincoln s Second Inaugural Address1070 Words   |  5 PagesOn March 4, 1865 Abraham Lincoln delivered his second inaugural address as president of the United States. The inaugural address came at the very end of the American Civil War, and just a month before the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Prior to this address, the United States had been split into two different independent states, the Union and the Confederacy. Throughout Abraham Lincoln’s first term and the very beginning of his second, Lincoln had to deal with the secession of the eleven statesRead MoreThe Views On Lincoln s Presidency1738 Words   |  7 PagesHistorian’s Views on Lincoln’s Presidency After reading several historians’ texts regarding Lincoln’s opinions and policies toward slavery, and the unification of a nation as a whole, I distinguished that several authors have contending visions of Lincoln’s actions during his presidency. Some authors (Dirck, Guelzo, Striner) portray Lincoln as the great emancipator in depicting him as a crusader whose main purpose during the Civil War was only to accomplish the abolishment of slavery.Read MoreThe Legacy Of Abraham Lincoln1217 Words   |  5 PagesAbraham Lincoln was born in the year 1809 on February 12th in the town of Hardin County, Kentucky to Thomas and Nancy Lincoln. Growing up Lincoln had no proper education, consequently he read books and educated himself. During Lincoln’s young adult years, he worked a various number of jobs as a shopkeeper, surveyor, and a postmaster. In 1832, Lincoln became a captain of the Hawk War against the Native Americans. Shortly after the war was over, h e began his political career and was elected to theRead MoreThe Presidency Of The United States1401 Words   |  6 PagesThe Presidency While some nineteenth century presidents, such as Abraham Lincoln, wielded great power and significantly influenced the future of the United States, many were really just caretakers eclipsed in prominence by various industrialists and robber barons. The modern American presidency was actually the creation of Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt who by different means expanded and strengthened the office of the President of the United States. The Roosevelt family revolutionized how the