abraham_lincoln abraham_lincoln february april 16th president united_states serving march assassination april lincoln led united_states civil war war greatest moral constitutional political crisis preserved union abolished slavery strengthened federal government modernized economy born kentucky lincoln grew western frontier kentucky indiana largely self educated lawyer illinois leader member served years elected united_states house_of_representatives lincoln promoted rapid modernization economy banks railroads originally agreed run second term congress opposition mexican american war unpopular illinois voters lincoln returned springfield resumed successful law practice politics leader building new republican_party statewide majority illinois taking series highly publicized debates opponent rival democrat lincoln spoke expansion slavery lost race douglas lincoln secured republican_party presidential nomination moderate swing state gained little support states south swept north elected president lincoln victory prompted seven southern slave states form moved white_house compromise reconciliation found slavery subsequently april confederate attack inspired north enthusiastically rally union declaration war leader moderate faction republican_party lincoln confronted radical republicans demanded treatment south war democrats called compromise anti war democrats called despised plotted assassination politically lincoln fought pitting opponents carefully planned political patronage appealing american people powers iconic endorsement principles nationalism equal rights liberty democracy lincoln initially concentrated military political dimensions war primary goal reunite nation suspended corpus leading controversial decision potential british intervention war trent affair late lincoln closely supervised war effort especially selection generals including successful general major decisions union war strategy including naval blockade shut south normal trade moves control kentucky tennessee gain control southern river system lincoln tried repeatedly capture confederate capital richmond time general failed lincoln substituted finally grant succeeded war progressed complex moves ending slavery included lincoln protect escaped slaves encouraged border states outlaw slavery pushed congress thirteenth amendment united_states_constitution permanently outlawed slavery exceptionally politician deeply involved power issues state lincoln reached war democrats managed election campaign presidential election anticipating war conclusion lincoln pushed moderate view reconstruction seeking reunite nation policy generous reconciliation face lingering bitter april days april 9th surrender confederate commanding general lincoln assassinated confederate lincoln consistently ranked scholars public greatest presidents family childhood early life family ancestry abraham_lincoln born february second child thomas room log cabin sinking spring farm kentucky descendant migrated norfolk england massachusetts samuel grandson great grandson began family western migration passed new_jersey pennsylvania virginia lincoln paternal grandfather namesake captain abraham_lincoln moved family virginia kentucky captain lincoln killed indian raid children including year old thomas future president father witnessed attack father murder thomas left way frontier working odd jobs kentucky tennessee settling members family kentucky early 1800s lincoln mother nancy widely assumed daughter record birth found according book ancestry lincoln nancy daughter debate continues born researcher claims daughter virginia married june moved kentucky following marriage parents children sarah born february february son thomas died infancy bought leased farms kentucky including sinking spring farm born land title dispute soon forced family moved miles north thomas acquired title acres land land dispute sought family farm acres thomas held kentucky lost acres land court disputes property titles frustrated lack security provided kentucky courts thomas sold remaining land held kentucky began planning indiana land survey process reliable ability individual retain land titles secure family moved north indiana free non territory settled forest land southern indiana indiana county established farm preserved lincoln noted family indiana partly account slavery mainly land title difficulties kentucky family years kentucky indiana worked farmer carpenter owned farms town lots livestock paid taxes sat estates served country slave patrols guarded prisoners thomas members separate church restrictive moral standards opposed alcohol dancing slavery year family arrival indiana thomas claimed title acres indiana land despite financial challenges eventually obtained clear title acres land known prior family illinois thomas acquired additional acres land adjacent property significant family events took place lincoln youth indiana october died milk sickness leaving year old sarah charge household included father year old nancy nineteen year old orphaned cousin december lincoln father married sarah widow kentucky children close referred mother knew lincoln teenager later recalled distraught sister sarah death january giving birth son youth lincoln disliked hard labor associated frontier life neighbors family members thought time lazy reading writing writing poetry etc avoid manual labor acknowledged enjoy physical labor loved read lincoln largely self educated formal schooling teachers intermittent aggregate amounted year avid reader retained lifelong interest learning family neighbors lincoln youth recalled read king james bible progress life washington grew teens lincoln took responsibility expected boys household complied customary obligation son giving father earnings work outside home age adept axe tall age lincoln strong athletic attained reputation competitive wrestling match renowned leader group known grove boys early march fearing milk sickness outbreak lincoln family moved west illinois non state settled site illinois miles west historians disagree initiated family relocated illinois increasingly distant father father lack education occasionally lent money thomas members family prepared new homestead illinois old decisions struck traveling ended village later spring merchant hired lincoln friends goods new_orleans mississippi rivers arriving new_orleans witnessing slavery lincoln returned remained years marriage children lincoln romantic interest met moved relationship formally engaged died age august likely fever early 1830s met kentucky visiting sister late lincoln agreed match mary returned mary return november lincoln courted time second thoughts relationship august lincoln wrote mary letter suggesting blame ended relationship replied courtship ended lincoln engaged wealthy slave holding family lexington kentucky met springfield illinois december engaged following december wedding set january canceled broke engagement lincoln initiative later met party married november springfield mansion mary married sister preparing feeling anxiety lincoln asked going replied hell suppose couple bought house springfield near lincoln law office kept house help relative hired servant girl absent husband father children born eddie edward died february springfield probably tuberculosis born december died fever february fourth son thomas lincoln born april died heart failure age july robert child live adulthood children descendant great grandson died lincoln remarkably fond children considered strict deaths sons profound effects parents later life mary struggled stresses losing husband sons committed temporarily mental health asylum abraham_lincoln suffered melancholy condition referred clinical depression lincoln father law family slave owners slave traders lincoln close family occasionally visited estate lexington term president united_states_of_america mary known cook lincoln raised wealthy family cooking abilities simple satisfied lincoln tastes included particularly imported early career militia service age lincoln partner bought small general store credit illinois economy region business struggled lincoln eventually sold share march began political career campaign attained local popularity draw crowds natural lacked education powerful friends money lost advocated navigational improvements election lincoln served captain illinois militia following return lincoln continued campaign august election feet inches tall strong rival speech saw supporter crowd attacked lincoln grabbed neck seat trousers threw lincoln finished eighth candidates elected received votes cast new salem lincoln served later county surveyor reading decided lawyer began teaching law reading law books learning method lincoln stated studied second campaign successful won election state legislature ran whig democrats favored powerful whig opponent admitted bar moved springfield illinois began practice law cousin lincoln able successful lawyer reputation formidable adversary cross examinations closing arguments partnered lincoln began practice lincoln thought young man successful second run office lincoln served successive terms whig representative supported construction illinois michigan canal remained involved later canal commissioner legislative session voted expand suffrage white males landowners known free soil stance opposing slavery articulated saying institution slavery founded injustice bad policy abolition doctrines tends increase stance closely followed supporting program making abolition slavery practical helping freed slaves settle africa early 1830s lincoln whig professed friends old line whig disciple party including lincoln favored economic modernization banking protective fund internal improvements including railroads espoused lincoln elected served year term whig illinois delegation showed party loyalty participating votes making speeches echoed party line lincoln collaboration abolitionist congressman wrote bill abolish slavery district_of_columbia compensation owners enforcement capture fugitive slaves popular vote matter abandoned bill failed garner sufficient whig supporters foreign military policy lincoln spoke mexican american war attributed president desire military glory attractive rainbow rises showers blood lincoln supported adopted banned slavery territory won mexico lincoln emphasized opposition drafting introducing war begun mexican slaughter american soldiers territory disputed mexico insisted mexican soldiers invaded territory shed blood fellow citizens soil lincoln demanded congress exact spot blood shed prove spot american soil congress enacted resolution debated national papers ignored resulted loss political support lincoln district illinois newspaper nicknamed lincoln lincoln later regretted statements especially attack presidential war making powers unlikely win presidency lincoln pledged serve term house supported general whig nomination presidential election taylor won lincoln hoped appointed commissioner lucrative patronage job went illinois rival considered administration highly skilled lawyer lincoln view old fossil administration offered prize secretary governor distant territory democratic stronghold acceptance post effectively ended legal political career illinois declined resumed law practice prairie lawyer lincoln returned practicing law springfield handling kind business come prairie lawyer twice year years weeks time appeared county seats region county courts session lincoln handled transportation cases midst nation western expansion particularly conflicts arising operation river barges new railroad bridges man lincoln initially favored interests ultimately represented hired fact later represented bridge company company landmark case involving canal boat sank hitting bridge received patent device movement boats shallow water idea lincoln president hold patent represented dispute shareholders refused pay balance pledge buy shares railroad grounds company changed original train route lincoln successfully argued railroad company bound original charter extant time pledge charter amended public interest provide newer superior expensive route corporation retained right demand payment decision cited numerous courts nation lincoln appeared cases sole counsel decided favor lincoln largest clients lincoln reputation clients gave rise nickname honest lincoln notable criminal trial occurred defended trial murder case famous lincoln use fact established judicial notice order challenge credibility eyewitness opposing witness testified seeing crime lincoln produced farmers showing moon low angle drastically reducing visibility based evidence armstrong acquitted lincoln rarely raised objections courtroom case defended cousin accused stabbing death lincoln angrily protested judge decision exclude evidence favorable client instead holding lincoln contempt court expected judge democrat reversed ruling allowing evidence harrison republican politics slavery house divided 1850s slavery legal southern united_states generally outlawed northern states including illinois original constitution forbade slavery required lincoln disapproved slavery spread slavery new territory west returned politics oppose pro slavery kansas nebraska act law repealed slavery restricting senior senator illinois incorporated popular sovereignty act douglas provision lincoln opposed specified settlers right determine locally allow slavery new territory decision restricted national congress contrasts anti slavery radical republicans northeast saw slavery sin conservative republicans thought bad hurt white people blocked progress argues lincoln moderate middle opposing slavery primarily violated principles founding fathers especially equality men democratic self government expressed declaration independence october speech lincoln declared opposition slavery repeated route presidency speaking kentucky accent powerful voice said declared indifference think covert real zeal spread slavery hate hate monstrous injustice slavery hate republican example influence world late lincoln ran whig time senators elected state legislature leading rounds voting unable obtain majority lincoln instructed vote democrat received votes earlier ballots supporters democrats vowed support whig lincoln decision withdraw enabled whig supporters democrats combine defeat mainstream democratic candidate nationally split kansas nebraska act efforts compromise slavery issue lincoln wrote think whig abolitionist oppose extension slavery drawing portion combining liberty democratic_party members new republican_party formed northern party dedicated lincoln instrumental shape new party placed second contest candidate vice president douglas broke president leading fight control democratic_party eastern republicans favored reelection douglas senate led opposition constitution admitted kansas slave state march supreme_court issued decision chief justice opined blacks citizens derived rights constitution lincoln denounced decision alleging product conspiracy democrats support lincoln argued authors declaration independence intended equal color size intellect moral developments social capacity consider men created equal equal certain rights life liberty pursuit happiness state republican party convention nominated lincoln delivered drawing mark house divided stand believe government endure permanently half slave half free expect union dissolved expect house fall expect cease divided thing speech created evocative image danger caused slavery debate rallied republicans north stage set campaign statewide election illinois legislature turn select lincoln douglas senator lincoln douglas debates speech senate campaign featured seven lincoln douglas debates famous political debates american history stood stark contrast physically politically lincoln warned slave power threatening values accused douglas values founding fathers men created equal douglas emphasized doctrine local settlers free choose allow slavery accused lincoln having joined debates atmosphere prize fight drew crowds thousands lincoln stated douglas popular sovereignty theory threat nation morality douglas represented conspiracy extend slavery free states douglas said lincoln authority scott decision republican legislative candidates won popular votes democrats won seats legislature elected douglas senate despite bitterness defeat lincoln issues gave national political reputation lincoln purchased illinois german language newspaper consistently supportive state german americans voted democratic republican support german language paper february new_york party leaders invited lincoln speech group powerful republicans lincoln argued founding fathers little use popular sovereignty repeatedly sought restrict slavery lincoln insisted moral foundation republicans required opposition slavery rejected middle ground right wrong despite appearance audience thought awkward ugly lincoln demonstrated intellectual leadership brought ranks party contention republican presidential nomination journalist reported man impression appeal new_york audience described speech superb political candidate appear rival state event sponsored second rival loyalists mentioning delivery response inquiry presidential intentions lincoln said taste mouth little presidential nomination campaign held lincoln followers organized campaign team led lincoln received endorsement run presidency exploiting embellished legend frontier days father clearing land splitting fence rails lincoln supporters adopted label rail candidate lincoln described height feet inches nearly lean flesh weighing average eighty pounds dark coarse black hair gray eyes biographers added large head high crown skull thick hair large deep eye heavy large nose large ears large mouth thin upper somewhat thick lip high prominent cheek bones thin sunken strongly developed chin slightly thin neck long long arms large hands chest thin narrow compared great height legs length large feet chicago lincoln friends promised manipulated won nomination ballot beating candidates democrat maine nominated vice president balance ticket lincoln success depended reputation moderate slavery issue strong support programs internal improvements protective ballot pennsylvania pennsylvania iron interests support protective lincoln managers focused delegation following lincoln strong contracts republicans agreed lincoln north party slave power grasp national government scott decision presidency 1850s lincoln doubted prospects civil war supporters rejected claims election douglas selected candidate northern democrats delegates slave states walked democratic convention douglas position popular sovereignty ultimately selected candidate formed republicans northern states help nominate abraham_lincoln president united_states lincoln ideas slavery grew supporters people northern states knew southern states vote lincoln ideas anti slavery took action rally supporters lincoln douglas candidates went campaigns lincoln gave speeches instead monitored campaign closely relied enthusiasm republican_party party leg work produced north produced abundance campaign posters newspaper editorials thousands republican speakers focused party platform second lincoln life story emphasizing childhood poverty goal demonstrate superior power free labor common farm boy work way efforts republican_party production campaign literature combined opposition chicago_tribune writer produced pamphlet detailed lincoln life sold copies presidency election november lincoln elected 16th president united_states beating democrat southern democrats new president republican_party victory entirely strength support north west ballots cast southern slave states won counties southern states lincoln received votes votes votes votes turnout percent lincoln winning free northern states california oregon douglas won missouri split new_jersey lincoln bell won virginia tennessee kentucky won rest south lincoln won popular vote victory electoral college decisive lincoln opponents added fusion tickets lincoln opponents combined support slate new_york new_jersey rhode_island anti lincoln vote combined state lincoln won majority lincoln election evident clear intent leave union took office march december south_carolina took lead adopting ordinance february florida mississippi alabama georgia louisiana texas followed states adopted constitution declared sovereign nation upper south border states delaware maryland virginia north_carolina tennessee kentucky missouri arkansas listened initially rejected appeal president president elect lincoln refused recognize confederacy declaring illegal confederacy selected provisional president february attempts compromise extended missouri compromise line dividing territories slave free contrary republican_party free soil platform lincoln rejected idea saying suffer death consent concession compromise looks like buying privilege possession government constitutional right lincoln support proposed amendment constitution passed congress lincoln came office awaiting ratification states proposed amendment protected slavery states existed guaranteed congress interfere slavery southern consent weeks war lincoln sent letter governor informing congress passed joint resolution amend constitution lincoln open possibility constitutional convention amendments constitution route inauguration train lincoln addressed crowds north president elect evaded possible assassins baltimore uncovered lincoln head security february arrived disguise washington placed substantial military guard lincoln directed inaugural address south proclaiming intention abolish slavery southern states exist people accession property peace personal security endangered reasonable cause ample evidence contrary existed open inspection found nearly published speeches addresses quote speeches declare purpose directly indirectly interfere institution slavery states exists believe right president ended address appeal people south enemies friends enemies mystic chords memory stretching battlefield patriot grave living heart broad land swell chorus union touched surely better angels nature failure signaled legislative compromise impossible march leaders insurrection proposed rejoining union terms lincoln republican leadership agreed union tolerated lincoln said war ending parties war war let nation survive accept war let war came beginning war commander south_carolina major sent request provisions washington execution lincoln order meet request seen act war april confederate forces fired union troops fort forcing surrender began war argued newly inaugurated lincoln gravity crisis strength sentiment south realizing southern insisting invasion talked lincoln inauguration week sadly disappointed failure realize country sleeping volcano south preparing war concludes repeated efforts avoid collision months inauguration firing showed adhered shed blood vowed surrender forts resolution contradictory positions fire shot april lincoln called states send detachments totaling troops recapture forts protect washington preserve union view existed intact despite actions states forced states choose sides virginia declared rewarded confederate capital despite exposed position richmond close union lines north_carolina tennessee arkansas voted months sentiment strong missouri maryland prevail kentucky tried neutral confederate attack rallied americans north mason line defense american nation says produced startling northern sentiment anger swept land came news mass meetings speeches resolutions business support muster companies regiments determined action governors states sent union regiments south response lincoln save capital confront rebellion april baltimore controlled rail links attacked union troops changing trains local leaders groups later burned critical rail bridges capital army responded arresting local maryland officials lincoln suspended writ corpus areas army felt needed secure troops reach washington maryland official involved troop movements petitioned supreme_court chief justice author controversial pro slavery opinion issue writ corpus june acting circuit judge speaking supreme_court issued writ opinion congress suspend writ lincoln continued army policy writ suspended limited areas despite ruling assuming command union war lincoln realized importance taking immediate executive control war making overall strategy rebellion lincoln encountered unprecedented political military crisis responded commander chief unprecedented powers expanded war powers imposed blockade confederate shipping ports funds appropriation congress corpus arrested imprisoned thousands suspected confederate lincoln supported congress northern public actions addition lincoln contend reinforcing strong union sympathies border slave states keeping war international conflict war effort source continued lincoln dominated time attention start clear support essential success war effort manner compromise alienated factions sides aisle appointment republicans democrats command positions union_army criticized lincoln refusing compromise slavery issue conversely criticized moving slowly slavery august lincoln signed act authorized judiciary proceedings free slaves support confederate war effort practice law little effect signal political support slavery confederacy late august general republican presidential nominee issued consulting superiors washington proclamation martial law missouri declared citizen found bearing arms court shot slaves persons aiding rebellion freed cloud charges command compounded allegations fraud corruption lincoln overruled proclamation lincoln believed emancipation political militarily necessary legal lincoln acted union maryland kentucky missouri increased troops lincoln left diplomatic matters secretary state times balance lincoln stuck close working relationship senator chairman trent affair late threatened war great_britain illegally intercepted british mail ship trent high seas seized confederate envoys britain protested lincoln ended crisis releasing diplomats biographer lincoln successful techniques restraint avoidance outward expression early attitude britain paper prepared occasion readiness golden silence addressing congress recognizing war clear perception point clinched america true position time satisfaction given friendly country lincoln monitored reports coming headquarters kept close phases military effort consulted governors selected generals based past success state party january complaints lincoln replaced war secretary pro business conservative democrat moved radical republican faction worked closely lincoln senior official lincoln virtually conducted war thomas terms war strategy lincoln articulated priorities ensure washington defended conduct aggressive war effort satisfy demand north prompt decisive victory major northern newspaper editors expected victory days twice week lincoln meet cabinet afternoon occasionally force carriage ride concerned working hard lincoln learned reading theoretical book chief staff general disciple european began appreciate critical need control strategic points mississippi_river lincoln saw importance understood necessity defeating enemy army simply capturing territory general union defeat battle bull run retirement aged late lincoln appointed general chief union armies young west_point graduate railroad executive pennsylvania democrat took months plan attempt longer lincoln wanted campaign objective capture richmond moving army boat peninsula overland confederate capital repeated delays frustrated lincoln congress position troops needed defend washington lincoln insisted holding troops defense capital consistently strength confederate troops blamed decision ultimate failure lincoln removed general chief march harrison landing letter offered political advice lincoln urging caution war effort office remained july selected letter radical republicans successfully pressured lincoln appoint republican head new pope complied lincoln strategic desire richmond north protecting capital attack lacking requested reinforcements commanding army pope defeated second battle bull run summer forcing army defend washington second time war expanded naval operations virginia uss damaged destroyed union vessels norfolk virginia engaged damaged uss monitor lincoln closely reviewed dispatches interrogated naval officers clash despite dissatisfaction failure reinforce pope lincoln desperate restored command forces washington dismay cabinet days return command general forces crossed maryland leading september ensuing union victory american history enabled lincoln announce issue emancipation proclamation january having composed proclamation time earlier lincoln waited military victory publish avoid perceived product desperation resisted president demand pursue lee retreating exposed army counterpart general likewise refused orders army ohio rebel forces eastern tennessee result lincoln replaced elections replaced republican replacements political supportive commander chief advice president prematurely launched offensive defeated lee december defeated battlefield soldiers thousands increased lincoln brought despite record loose talk need military dictatorship mid term elections brought republicans severe losses sharp administration failure deliver end war rising inflation new high taxes rumors corruption suspension corpus military draft law fears freed slaves undermine labor market announced september gained votes republicans rural areas new_england upper midwest lost votes cities lower midwest republicans discouraged democrats especially pennsylvania ohio indiana new_york republicans maintain congress major states new_york contended voters depressed nature war far conducted rapid exhaustion national resources progress spring lincoln optimistic upcoming military campaigns point thinking end war near string victories plans included attack lee north richmond grant naval assault charleston routed lee continued command troops weeks ignored lincoln order divide troops possibly force lee resignation lincoln accepted replaced followed lee pennsylvania victory union lee army avoided capture time initial setbacks grant laid siege union navy attained success charleston harbor lincoln clearly understood military decisions effectively carried conveying orders war secretary general chief generals resented civilian interference plans continued detailed directions generals commander chief lincoln understood federal government power end slavery limited constitution committed issue individual states argued election eventual extinction slavery result preventing expansion new territory beginning war sought persuade states accept compensated emancipation return prohibition slavery lincoln believed slavery ways economically envisioned founding fathers constitution president lincoln rejected geographically limited emancipation attempts major general august major general grounds power upset border states loyal union june endorsed lincoln congress passed act banning slavery federal territory july act passed set court procedures free slaves convicted aiding rebellion lincoln believed congress power free slaves states approved bill legislature felt action taken commander chief war powers granted president constitution lincoln planning action month lincoln discussed draft cabinet stated fit necessary military measure january persons held slaves confederate states forever free privately lincoln concluded point slave base confederacy eliminated argued emancipation block peace republican editor highly influential fell ploy lincoln refuted directly letter august said personally wished men free lincoln stated primary goal actions president person explicitly refers official duty preserving union paramount object struggle save union save destroy slavery save union freeing slave save freeing slaves save freeing leaving slavery colored race believe helps save union believe help save union stated purpose according view official duty intend modification expressed personal wish men free issued september effect january declared free slaves states union control specified areas union control states lincoln spent days preparing army nation emancipation democrats rallied voters year elections warning threat freed slaves posed northern whites abolition slavery rebel states military objective union armies advanced south slaves liberated million confederate territory freed lincoln comment signing proclamation life felt certain right signing paper time lincoln continued earlier plans set colonies newly freed slaves commented favorably colonization attempts massive undertaking failed days emancipation announced republican governors met war governors conference supported president proclamation suggested removal general commander union_army enlisting slaves military official government policy issuance emancipation proclamation spring lincoln ready recruit black troops token numbers letter military governor tennessee encouraging lead way raising black troops lincoln wrote bare sight armed black soldiers banks mississippi end rebellion end lincoln direction general recruited regiments blacks observed lincoln company reminded humble origin unpopular color great union victory battle july defeat ohio election fall lincoln maintained strong base party support strong position war effort despite new_york_city draft riots stage set address battlefield cemetery november lincoln prediction world little note long remember address quoted speech american history words minutes lincoln asserted nation born conceived liberty dedicated proposition men created equal defined war effort dedicated principles liberty equality emancipation slaves national war effort declared deaths brave soldiers vain slavery end result losses future democracy world assured government people people people shall earth lincoln concluded civil war profound objective new birth freedom nation general grant failure capture lee army retreated continued persuaded lincoln change command needed general victories battle campaign impressed lincoln grant strong candidate head union_army responding criticism grant lincoln said spare man fights grant command lincoln felt union_army pursue series coordinated multiple theaters commander agreed use black troops lincoln concerned grant considering candidacy president lincoln arranged inquiry grant political intentions assured submitted promotion commander union_army obtained congress consent grant rank lieutenant general officer held george_washington grant waged bloody characterized war attrition given high union losses battles advantage fighting defensive confederate forces high percentage casualties union forces high casualty figures union alarmed north grant lost army lincoln asked grant plans general replied propose fight line takes summer confederacy lacked reinforcements lee army costly battle grant army moved south crossed forcing siege trench warfare outside virginia lincoln extended visit grant headquarters city point virginia allowed president person grant hostilities coincidentally managed hasty visit grant position north_carolina lincoln republican_party mobilized support draft north replaced union losses lincoln authorized grant target confederate infrastructure plantations railroads bridges hoping destroy south morale weaken economic ability continue fighting grant resulted railroads richmond south strategy allowed generals destroy plantations towns virginia damage caused march sea georgia limited mile lincoln commanders saw destruction main goal defeat confederate armies argued effort engage total war civilians believed place world war confederate general began series assaults north threatened capital early raid washington lincoln watching combat exposed position captain holmes shouted damn fool shot repeated calls grant defend washington appointed threat early dispatched grant continued wear lee forces efforts discuss peace began confederate vice president led group meet lincoln lincoln refused allow negotiation confederacy sole objective agreement end fighting meetings produced results april grant successfully lee forces nearly encircled confederate government evacuated richmond days later city fell lincoln visited confederate capital walked city white stone faced greeted hero april lee surrendered grant war effectively election war waged lincoln faced reelection lincoln master politician bringing holding main factions republican_party bringing war democrats lincoln spent hours week talking politicians land patronage powers greatly expanded peacetime hold factions party build support policies fend efforts drop ticket convention republican_party selected johnson war democrat southern state tennessee running mate coalition include war democrats republicans lincoln ran label new grant spring campaigns turned bloody union casualties mounted lack military success wore heavily president election prospects republicans country feared lincoln defeated sharing fear lincoln wrote signed pledge lose election defeat confederacy turning white house morning days past probable administration elected duty operate president elect save union election inauguration secured election ground possibly save afterward lincoln pledge cabinet asked sign sealed envelope democratic platform followed peace wing party called war failure candidate general supported war platform lincoln provided grant troops mobilized party renew support grant war effort capture atlanta september capture mobile ended democratic_party deeply split leaders soldiers openly lincoln contrast united lincoln emancipation central issue state republican parties stressed november lincoln elected landslide carrying states receiving percent union soldiers vote march lincoln delivered second inaugural address deemed high casualties sides god concludes ranks small handful semi sacred texts americans conceive place world lincoln said hope pray mighty war pass away god continue wealth bond man years shall sunk drop blood drawn shall paid drawn sword said years ago said lord true altogether charity right god gives right let finish work nation wounds care shall borne battle widow orphan achieve lasting peace nations reconstruction reconstruction began war lincoln associates anticipated questions conquered southern states determine confederate leaders freed slaves shortly lee surrender general asked lincoln defeated treated lincoln replied let easy keeping sentiment lincoln led reconstruction policy opposed political allies president issues determined find course reunite nation south lincoln urged elections generous terms held war december offered held confederate civil office union prisoners sign oath allegiance southern states subdued critical decisions leadership formed special importance tennessee arkansas lincoln appointed generals military governors respectively louisiana lincoln ordered general promote plan restore percent voters agreed lincoln democratic opponents seized appointments accuse military ensure republicans political aspirations hand denounced policy passed plan wade lincoln vetoed bill refusing seat representatives elected louisiana arkansas tennessee lincoln appointments designed moderate radical factions harness fill chief justice seat supreme_court named choice lincoln believed uphold emancipation paper money policies implementing emancipation proclamation apply state lincoln increased pressure congress outlaw slavery entire nation constitutional amendment lincoln declared amendment clinch matter december proposed constitutional amendment outlaw slavery brought congress passage attempt amendment failed pass falling short required thirds majority june house_of_representatives passage proposed amendment republican platform election long debate house second attempt passed congress january sent state ratification ratification thirteenth amendment united_states constitution december war drew close lincoln presidential having believed federal government limited responsibility millions signed law senator bill set temporary federal agency designed meet immediate material needs slaves law assigned land lease years ability purchase title lincoln stated louisiana plan apply states reconstruction shortly assassination lincoln announced new plan southern reconstruction discussions cabinet revealed lincoln planned short term military control southern states control southern historians agree impossible predict exactly lincoln reconstruction lived projections based known policy positions political lincoln biographers according argue likely lived lincoln followed policy similar johnson clashed congressional produced better result occurred political skills helped avoid johnson mistakes argues unlike lincoln reconstruction opportunity sweeping political social revolution emancipation long clear opposition land believed republicans april voting requirements determined states assumed political control south pass white reluctant forward looking time war lincoln initial opposition come embrace positions advanced radical republicans lincoln undoubtedly listened carefully outcry protection slaves entirely plausible imagine lincoln congress agreeing reconstruction policy encompassed federal protection basic civil rights plus limited black suffrage lines lincoln proposed death republic successful states consequences country term united_states historically united_states times singular particular consistency civil war significant force eventual dominance singular usage end 19th century recent years historians stressed lincoln republican values early 1850s time political rhetoric focused constitution lincoln emphasis declaration independence foundation american political values called sheet anchor declaration emphasis freedom equality contrast constitution tolerance slavery shifted debate concludes highly influential speech early lincoln presented americans theory history offers profound contribution theory destiny position gained strength highlighted moral basis lincoln justified war terms constitution contract party contract parties agree terms national duty guarantee republican form government state burton argues lincoln taken march lincoln inaugural address explored nature democracy denounced anarchy explained majority rule balanced constitutional restraints american system said majority held restraint constitutional checks limitations changing easily deliberate changes popular opinions sentiments true sovereign free people lincoln adhered whig theory presidency gave congress primary responsibility writing laws executive enforced lincoln vetoed bills passed congress important wade davis bill harsh program reconstruction signed homestead act making millions acres government held land west available purchase low cost land grant colleges act signed provided government grants agricultural colleges state granted federal support construction completed passage homestead act possible absence southern senators opposed measures 1850s important legislation involved measures raise revenues federal government policy long precedent new federal income tax lincoln signed second having law lincoln signed revenue act creating income tax created flat tax percent current dollar terms later changed revenue act progressive rate structure lincoln presided expansion federal government economic influence areas creation system national banks provided strong financial network country established national currency congress created lincoln approval lincoln sent senior general uprising minnesota presented execution convicted accused killing innocent farmers lincoln conducted personal review eventually approving execution later president lincoln planned reform federal indian policy wake grant casualties campaign lee lincoln considered executive military draft issued response rumors editors published false draft proclamation created opportunity editors employed publications corner gold market lincoln reaction send strongest messages media behavior ordered military seize papers seizure lasted days lincoln largely responsible institution thanksgiving holiday united_states lincoln presidency thanksgiving regional holiday new_england 17th century proclaimed federal government sporadically irregular dates proclamation presidency years lincoln declared final thursday november year day thanksgiving june lincoln approved grant enacted congress provided unprecedented federal protection area known national park judicial appointments supreme_court appointments chief justice lincoln declared philosophy court nominations ask man answer man opinions known lincoln appointments nominated january appointed january chosen anti slavery lawyer committed union nominated appointed july supported lincoln election abolitionist lincoln campaign manager nominated december appointed december served judge lincoln illinois court circuit previous justice nominated march appointed march provided geographic balance political balance court democrat finally lincoln treasury secretary nominated chief justice appointed day december lincoln believed chase able support reconstruction legislation appointment united republican_party judicial appointments lincoln appointed federal judges including associate justices chief justice supreme_court united_states judges united_states district courts lincoln appointed judges united_states circuit courts time office states admitted union west_virginia admitted union june contained north westernmost counties virginia virginia commonwealth declared union condition admission west_virginia constitution required provide gradual abolition slavery nevada state far west continent admitted free state october assassination funeral abraham_lincoln assassinated good friday april attending play american_civil_war drawing close assassination occurred days surrender booth known actor confederate spy maryland joined confederate army contacts confederate secret service booth formulated plan similar previously authorized confederacy kidnap lincoln exchange release confederate prisoners attending april speech lincoln promoted voting rights blacks booth changed plans determined assassinate president learning president grant attending ford formulated plan conspirators assassinate lincoln grant theater vice president johnson secretary state homes main bodyguard lincoln left attend play american cousin april minute grant decided new_jersey visit children instead attending play lincoln bodyguard left ford theater drink saloon door president sat state box balcony seizing opportunity booth aimed lincoln head fired point blank range mortally wounding president major momentarily booth booth stabbed escaped run days booth tracked found farm virginia miles south washington refusing surrender union troops booth killed april doctor army surgeon found president barely breathing pulse having determined president shot head stabbed shoulder originally thought attempt clear blood president began breathe naturally dying president taken street remaining coma hours lincoln died april secretary said belongs ages lincoln flag body escorted rain white_house union officers city church bells president johnson sworn hours lincoln death late president lay state april april final journey son transported executive coach united_states weeks lincoln special funeral train decorated black bore lincoln remains slow journey springfield illinois stopping cities north large scale memorials attended hundreds thousands people gathered informal tributes bands hymn singing silent reverence hat hand railway procession slowly passed poet composed bloom lincoln poems wrote assassinated president historians emphasized widespread shock sorrow noted lincoln heard news african americans especially moved lost moses larger sense grief response deaths men war ended religious philosophical beliefs young man lincoln religious words biographer later life lincoln frequent use religious imagery language reflected personal beliefs device appeal audiences evangelical joined church frequently attended wife deeply familiar bible quoted praised private beliefs respected beliefs lincoln clear profession christian beliefs believe powerful god shaped events expressing beliefs major speeches 1840s lincoln doctrine necessity belief asserted human mind controlled higher power 1850s lincoln believed providence general way rarely language imagery regarded founding fathers religious reverence suffered death son edward lincoln frequently expressed need depend god death son february caused lincoln look religion answers death lincoln considered divine standpoint severity war necessary wrote time god saved destroyed union human contest contest began having begun final victory day contest proceeds day lincoln assassinated reportedly told wife desired visit holy land health claims lincoln health declining assassination based photographs appearing weight loss muscle claim suffered rare genetic disorder appearance simply claim syndrome based tall appearance fingers association possible cause head sign based lincoln head photographs long exposure time dna analysis refused republic museum philadelphia historical reputation surveys scholars ranking presidents conducted 1940s lincoln consistently ranked number study found scholars fields history politics ranked lincoln number legal scholars placed second washington presidential ranking polls conducted united_states lincoln rated majority polls murray blessing survey chicago_tribune poll time generally presidents rated lincoln george_washington lincoln washington washington roosevelt occasionally reversed president lincoln assassination increased status point making national martyr lincoln viewed champion human liberty republicans linked lincoln party south considered lincoln man outstanding ability argues lincoln reputation grew slowly late 19th century 1920s emerged heroes american history white agreement high point came dedication national mall washington new deal era liberals honored lincoln self man great war president advocate common man believe supported welfare state cold war years lincoln image shifted emphasize symbol freedom brought hope oppressed communist regimes 1970s lincoln hero political conservatives intense nationalism support business insistence stopping spread human acting terms principles behalf liberty tradition devotion principles founding fathers whig activist lincoln spokesman business interests favoring high banks internal improvements railroads opposition democrats found lincoln reverence founding fathers constitution laws preservation republic institutions strengthened emphasizes tolerance especially preference orderly progress distrust dangerous reluctance ill schemes reform concludes conservative complete avoidance type called involved abuse south hatred vengeance partisan plotting demands southern institutions transformed overnight outsiders late 1960s liberals historian having second thoughts especially lincoln views racial issues bennett won wide attention called lincoln white noted lincoln ethnic told jokes ridiculed blacks insisted opposed social equality proposed sending freed slaves country defenders authors bad politicians day moral visionary advanced abolitionist cause fast politically possible emphasis shifted away lincoln argument blacks freed slavery responsible government emancipation wrote lincoln image suffered erosion fading prestige ridicule late 20th century hand opined biography lincoln distinctly endowed personality trait negative capability defined poet attributed extraordinary leaders content midst doubts compelled fact reason today president promoting sympathetic resurgence predecessor lincoln president obama insisted lincoln bible swearing office lincoln portrayed hollywood light memory memorials lincoln portrait appears denominations united_states currency penny bill likeness appears postage stamps town city county names including capital nebraska famous visited memorials lincoln sculpture ford theatre died washington springfield illinois far lincoln home tomb great moments lincoln exhibit lincoln little boy examined america cultural memory argues 1930s 1940s memory abraham_lincoln practically sacred provided nation moral symbol inspiring guiding american life great depression argues lincoln served means seeing world making meaningful preparing america war words civil war president clarify threat posed germany japan americans asked lincoln finds world war lincoln symbolic power lost relevance fading hero fading confidence national greatness suggested greatness concept cited historiography michael essential isbn lincoln new perspectives lincoln world isbn exploring lincoln great historians greatest president essays scholars manning shifting terrain attitudes abraham_lincoln emancipation winter smith cult abraham_lincoln twentieth century tony hollywood additional references
Abraham Lincoln