Download Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln
Overview
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To understand the Civil War, you
must be a student of Lincoln
Witty
Charisma
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Captivating storyteller
Analytical, logical
A humble visionary – see big
picture
He was the right person at the
right time and the country has
been shaped by his leadership
ever since
Lincoln on Slavery
“I hate it because of the monstrous injustice of slavery
itself. I hate it because it deprives our republican example of its
just influence in the world – enables the enemies of free
institutions, with plausibility, to taunt us as hypocrites – causes
he real friends of freedom to doubt our sincerity, and especially
because it forces so many really good men amongst ourselves
into an open war with the fundamental principles of civil liberty
– criticizing the Declaration of Independence, and insisting that
there is no right principle of action but self interest.”
Lincoln: A House Divided
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Acceptance speech for
Illinois Senate Race 1858
”I believe this
government cannot
endure permanently half
slave and half free. I do
not expect the union to
be dissolved – I do not
expect the house to fall
– but I do expect it will
cease to be divided. It
will become all one
thing or all the other”
(all free or all slave)
Lincoln Douglas Debates - 1858
Lincoln and Douglas debated seven
times
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Well attended
Fan Fare
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Both men were excellent speakers
and keen intellects
Critical of one another
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Douglas said…
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People/states should have sovereignty
over slavery
House Divided speech radical
Lincoln an Abolitionist – Black
Republican who wants equality for
Blacks
Lincoln
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No place in a democracy
Won’t abolish slavery, but won’t let it
spread
Douglas want to extend slavery
Equal Rights Issue
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Douglas accused Lincoln of wanting equal rights for
African Americans.
At the Charleston debate, Lincoln said,
“I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of
bringing about in any way the social and political
equality of the white and black races. I am not
nor ever have been in favor of making voters or
jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold
office, nor to intermarry with white people; and I
will say in addition to this that there is a physical
difference between the white and black races
which I believe will forever forbid the two races
living together on terms of social and political
equality. And insomuch as they cannot so live,
while they do remain together there must be the
position of superior and inferior, and I as much as
any other man am in favor of having the superior
position assigned to the white race”
Lincoln’s plan to handle slavery
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The Union comes first: “Much as I hate
slavery, I would consent to the extension
of it rather than see the Union dissolved,
just as I would consent to any great evil to
avoid a greater one.”
Government can’t remove slavery
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Unconstitutional
Focused on stopping the spread of slavery
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Preserve opportunities for white workers
Supported government funded expansion for white
people
Freeport
Doctrine
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Lincoln: Can people from a territory exclude
slavery if they wished to do so?
Douglas: Yes… they could legislate to that end
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Alienated Douglas from Southern Democrats
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Contradicted Dred Scott
Already mad at him for rejecting the Lecompton
Constitution
Regardless, Lincoln will lose in 1858
Election of 1860
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Republicans: Lincoln – moderate
on slavery
Democrats: Divided
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Northern Democrats: Stephan
Douglas
Southern Democrats: John
Breckenridge
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Constitutional Union Party: John
Bell
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Lincoln not on southern ballots,
but wins
Election Results of 1860
Southern Secession
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The Southern way of life in danger
Draw parallel to 1776
South Carolina on Dec. 20th, 1960
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First Ordinances of Secession
In Jan-Feb of 1861 – the following
secede
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Georgia
Florida
Alabama
Mississippi
Louisiana
Texas
Crittenden
Compromise
Dec 1860
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Amendments to Constitution
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Protect slavery where it exists
36* 30’ line - demarcation for slavery
Allow slavery on federal property (forts) and in Washington
Interstate slave trade – no federal interference
No future amendments could override these
Lincoln rejected it
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Devalued all that the republicans stood for
Some Southerners rejected it as well. (Jeff Davis, Robert
Toombs) They felt war was necessary and inevitable
James Buchanan
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Pennsylvania – democrat - pro- Southern
Felt “Black” Republicans were disunionists
He aligned himself with Southern interests
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Lecompton Constitution
Dred Scott v. Sanford
Opposition to Stephan Douglas
Disagreed with secession, but did not know
how to react
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Did not support either side
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This made him an outsider to both northerners
and southerners
Felt it was not in federal govt’s power to force
states back into the Union
Said he would not use force
Southern Organization Efforts
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Jefferson Davis is inaugurated as the President of the
Confederate States of America Feb 18th, 1861
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Alexander Stevens - VP
Constitution – Mar 11, 1861
Provisional Army – 10,000 troops
They begin to seize federal forts in the South
Inaugural Address
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He reaffirmed that he had no intention of
interfering with slavery in the Southern States
He pledged …
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to enforce the fugitive slave law
he endorsed the proposed constitutional amendment
protecting slavery in the states.
Finally he said, “In your hands, my dissatisfied
fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the
momentous issue of civil war” “The government
will not assail you. You can have no conflict,
without being yourselves the aggressors”