Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, remains one of the most significant figures in American history. Born on February 12, 1809, near Hodgenville, Kentucky, his life and presidency were marked by transformative events and decisions that continue to shape the nation. Understanding What Did Abraham Lincoln Do requires exploring his journey from humble beginnings to his pivotal role in preserving the Union and ending slavery.
Lincoln’s early life was characterized by hardship and self-education. When he was seven, his family moved to Indiana, where he grew up on the frontier. Formal schooling was scarce, but Lincoln was an avid reader, often losing himself in books late into the night. A friend described his intellect as “manic,” recalling seeing him engrossed in reading with red eyes and disheveled hair. At nineteen, he journeyed to New Orleans, Louisiana, his first experience in a major city, working on a flatboat carrying produce down the Mississippi River. Later, his family relocated to Illinois seeking better health and financial prospects.
After leaving home, Lincoln ventured into business, co-owning a general store. However, this endeavor was short-lived. He then served as a militia captain in the Black Hawk War of 1832. This conflict, sparked by Sauk Chief Black Hawk’s attempt to reclaim ancestral lands, profoundly impacted Lincoln, though he did not engage in direct combat. The grim sights of battlefields deeply affected him, and his leadership qualities emerged. He demonstrated pragmatism and integrity, famously bypassing a fence obstacle during drills by simply ordering his men to regroup on the other side. Another instance showcased his moral courage when he intervened to save a Native American man from being unjustly executed by his troops as a spy.
Following the war, Lincoln pursued law, a profession that would define his career before politics. He ran for the Illinois State Legislature in 1834 and, after an initial setback, won, serving as a Whig. This marked the beginning of his political ascent.
In Springfield, Illinois, Lincoln met Mary Todd, and they married in 1842. They had four sons, but tragically, only one survived to adulthood. The Lincoln family experienced significant sorrow and melancholy, possibly linked to their frequent encounters with death.
During the 1850s, Lincoln focused on his legal practice, earning the moniker “prairie lawyer.” He briefly served a term in Congress (1847-1849). The escalating debate over slavery drew him back into politics. In 1856, he joined the newly formed Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery. His series of Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858 against Stephen A. Douglas, a key figure behind the Kansas-Nebraska Act, catapulted him to national prominence. Lincoln’s clear anti-slavery stance made him deeply unpopular in the South, yet it solidified his position within the Republican Party.
A dignified portrait of Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth President of the United States, showcasing his iconic beard and thoughtful expression.
In 1860, Abraham Lincoln’s election to the presidency triggered a national crisis. He won without a single Southern state’s support, and long-simmering secessionist sentiments intensified. While Lincoln’s election wasn’t the sole cause of the Civil War, it was a major catalyst.
Lincoln’s primary goal upon assuming office was to preserve the Union, even if it meant war. His first inaugural address was a plea to the seceding Southern states to rejoin the nation. He famously concluded an early draft with the stark question: “Shall it be peace, or the sword?”
The Civil War commenced with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 12, 1861. Lincoln’s decision to resupply the Union fort led to the Confederate bombardment and the fort’s surrender, marking the beginning of the bloody conflict.
Throughout the war, Lincoln faced the daunting task of finding effective military leadership. As Commander-in-Chief, he actively directed the Union war effort, engaging in strategic planning, overseeing weapons development, and making crucial decisions regarding military appointments. He cycled through numerous generals – McDowell, Fremont, McClellan, Pope, and others – struggling to find commanders who could deliver consistent victories.
A pivotal moment in Lincoln’s presidency was the Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, following the Union victory at Antietam. Based on his presidential war powers, the Proclamation declared slaves free in Confederate-held territory. Although it didn’t immediately liberate all slaves, it fundamentally shifted the war’s purpose, transforming it into a fight against slavery as well as for national unity in the eyes of the North.
A historical image of the Emancipation Proclamation document, a landmark executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln declaring the freedom of slaves in Confederate territories during the Civil War.
Running for re-election in 1864, Lincoln initially feared defeat due to the prolonged war. However, Ulysses S. Grant’s successful military campaigns turned the tide. Union victories boosted Lincoln’s popularity, securing his re-election. His second inaugural address in March 1865, delivered as victory neared, emphasized reconciliation and healing, urging “malice towards none” and “charity for all” as the nation moved towards peace.
Beyond the Civil War, Lincoln’s administration enacted significant domestic policies. The Revenue Act of 1862 established the first US income tax to finance the war effort. The Morrill Act of 1862 laid the foundation for the state university system. The Homestead Act, also in 1862, promoted westward expansion by offering free land to settlers. Lincoln also created the Department of Agriculture and formalized Thanksgiving as a national holiday. In foreign affairs, he skillfully navigated the Trent Affair, a diplomatic crisis with Britain, preventing potential British intervention in the Civil War. Wartime pressures also led Lincoln to restrict civil liberties, including due process and freedom of the press.
Tragically, just as the nation began to look towards Reconstruction, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer, while attending a play at Ford’s Theatre. His death on April 15th deeply impacted the nation, extinguishing hopes for a less bitter Reconstruction era.
In conclusion, what Abraham Lincoln did was monumental. He led the United States through its most profound crisis, the Civil War, preserved the Union, and took decisive steps towards ending slavery. His leadership, courage, and vision continue to inspire, making him an enduring symbol of American resilience and unity.
