Abraham Lincoln essay - Grade: A PDF

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An essay about Abraham Lincoln if he is a good president or not....

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Does Abraham Lincoln deserve the accolade “The Great Emancipator?” Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of America and also a legendary figure in American culture and history. Lincoln was the president who saved the Union and abolished slavery, he also led the United States through the Civil War. Throughout his life, Abraham has showed a lot of influences not only the U.S.A. but the whole world. United States of America and slavery had a long history. The history of slavery and slave trade dates back in 1619 where African slaves were taken to the colony Jamestown in North America. The main reason for the slave trade was to increase the economy of America because slaves provided free labor on the farms and plantation. Slavery was a struggle that America had to overcome in the 1800s in order for America to progress. Every slave was going through tough times at the time since they were getting separated from their families and had to go through exhausting hard work on the plantation. Slavery became the norm in America during the 17th and 18th century in both North and South. Abraham Lincoln was born to parents of low social standing and little education. Mostly self-educated, he became a lawyer in Illinois, a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, a Whig Party leader which he served for 12 years. In 1846, Lincoln was elected to U.S Congress and moved to Washington to serve out his term whereas he spoke out against the Mexican War and unsuccessfully attempted to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia. Later on, Lincoln returned to Springfield to continue his career as a lawyer. His political life seems to end until the slavery question heated up in the middle of 1850s. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was put into the Presidential office despite his losses from running unsuccessfully for Senate in 1854 and 1858. When South Carolina led the initial wave of secession, brought about the establishment

of the Confederate States of America. After Lincoln attempted to reinforce Fort Sumter in South Carolina, Confederate forces opened fire and the Civil War began. The fate of slavery played a major role while Lincoln insisted that the Civil War was being fought to preserve the Union. Lincoln also took an overpowering role as commander in chief in a time of war., Serving from 1861 to 1865 as a president, Abraham Lincoln has become one of America’s most celebrated heroes and has a major impact on our nation by ending slavery. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, after winning at the Battle of Antietam. The Proclamation stated that all slaves shall “forever be free”, it created an internal insurrection inside the Confederacy. Later on, in 1863, The Union measures the Confiscation Acts and Emancipation Proclamation, the war effectively ended slavery and The 13th Amendment adopted on December 18, 1865, officially abolished slavery. It seems like Lincoln always viewed slavery as a terrible thing that must be stopped immediately. The longer Lincoln was involved in politics, the more publicity and support he gained. Slavery against human rights and Lincoln took action on it. The slavery that took place in the United States caused a racial divide between whites and African Americans that remains a problem in the present day. From past day standard, slavery is a norm and having slave working for you is okay. Many slave owners thought it fair for Africans to work without pay, because they believed that this particular group of people was made for this sort of work. Lincoln did not see it that way. He wanted people to be free, to have their own freedom, to have the right to vote, to serve on juries, to hold office and to intermarry with whites. He aware that slavery was wrong and believes that “All men are created equal” applied both to blacks and whites. Maybe because Lincoln’s life started in poverty, he did not have many opportunities to access things he wanted to when he was young. Until he grew up working as a lawyer and later moved on to political life, he understood the

struggles if an individual does not have any power to do what they want to. Things are limited for powerless people, especially when you are a slave. The concept of slavery has done worse damage to race relations between many cultures. Even though with the Emancipation Proclamation, slaves may have gained their freedom but it did not erase the racial tensions between white people and people of color. Slavery brings out plenty of negative images to most people. During the time Lincoln held office, insistence upon slavery was tearing up the nation. Ending the atrocity and achieving some greater form of racial equality was his priority. On the other hand, he also wanted women to have the vote in 1836. “I go for all sharing the privileges of the government, who assist in bearing its burdens. Consequently, I go for admitting all whites to the right of suffrage, who pay taxes or bear arms, by no means excluding females.”, the quote came from a letter Lincoln wrote while running for re-election to the Illinois general assembly. Lincoln showed support and took action for woman suffrage. He was the first major political figure to suggest extending the right to vote to women. Taking the first step for feminist by making a statement to an Illinois paper, he inspired women to began to mobilize for justice and equality. To Lincoln, democracy entailed equal rights and equal opportunity. Even though Lincoln's views on women's rights have not been thoroughly documented, his legacy is connected to women's movement. From his views on against slavery and human rights, supporting the meaning of freedom also applied to women. Abraham Lincoln has been called the greatest president in all of American history, as a icon of hope for many slaves in America. Even after his assassination, his legacy passed on and influences people to take movements to fight for their freedom and what they believe....