Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president of the U.S and the first to occupy that position by him Republican Party. He is considered one of the most important leaders in North America and, frequently, his ideas are highlighted.
The policies he applied in his government resulted in the abolition of slavery and the modernization of the State.
He was born on a farm located in Kentucky on February 12, 1809. Although his lineage came from England, his parents were natives of Virginia and they moved to the west of the country with the objective of cultivating the land. Their names were: Samuel Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, who passed away when Abraham was only 10 years old.
His education was not formally acquired in colleges or academies. He obtained his knowledge in a self-taught way, guided by the knowledge needs that his day-to-day life demanded of him. Thus he learned to read, write and perform mathematical operations. Studying on his own he also became a lawyer.
Contents
Beginnings in politics
After joining the army and fighting during the warlike conflict called “The war of the black hawk”, got married with Mary Todd. From that union four male children were born; three of them died at an early age.
He began his political career as a member of the Whig Party. His first positions were as a legislator and congressman. He had the possibility of being reelected for this last position, but he was forced to renounce this possibility because he opposed the intervention of U.S in Mexico.
Another important step in the political career of Abraham Lincoln , was his participation in the founding of the Republican Party of Illinois in 1854. With the endorsement of this political awning he campaigned in search of being selected to the Senate.
Later, he was nominated as a vice presidential candidate in the presidential elections. This postulation arose within the First National Party Convention Republican, held in June 1856. To represent the party in the national elections Lincoln had to first defeat other nominees and was defeated. However, that nomination gave his name projection.
In large part, this notoriety is due to Abraham Lincoln’s dominance over the art of public speaking. This quality would reach its greatest expression during his campaign to the Presidency of the Republic, in which his charisma made up for his little experience and political weight.
Abraham Lincoln President
The year was 1860 and Chicago was holding the Republican Party National Convention. In that meeting Abraham Lincoln faced several candidates for the party’s presidential candidacy. Although these aspirants had a background in politics, Lincoln’s charisma defeated them, making him the official candidate of the Republican Party for the United States Presidency.
Elections were held on November 6, 1860. Abraham Lincoln competed with three candidates. Two applicants belonged to Democratic Party and the third was postulated by the Constitutional Union Party. Lincoln achieved his victory over them, with the support of the 180 great voters of the Electoral College.
The government of Abraham Lincoln
With the victory of Abraham Lincoln, the separation of the southern states became imminent. The secession of these territories occurred in the period between the victory and the inauguration of President Lincoln. Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi were the seven southern states that broke away and formed the Confederate States of America.
The members of these states were convinced that the policies that the new government would advance would not be favorable to them. These objectives of the Lincoln government were known as the “American System ” and they proposed to carry out investments in infrastructure, customs and banking policies. Another factor that divided the nation and motivated the armed conflict was the practice of slavery in the southern states.
The climax of the conflict came on April 12, 1861, when they attacked Fort Sumter and began the Civil war.
Even in the midst of the war, the priority of President Lincoln was to keep his country together. His speeches spoke of the rebirth of freedom, equality and the establishment of a government aimed at meeting the needs of the population.
In accordance with his words, he signed the Emancipation Proclamation (1863).
Abolition of slavery
The proclamation of emancipation signed by Abraham Lincoln, ordered the release of every individual who performed work in conditions of slavery in the territories that made up the Confederate states. It also conferred on all citizens, without distinction of prayer, equal rights and privileges.
This proclamation ended the subjugation and use of other human beings as personal property. However, the southern states refused to renounce this privilege. Enforcing that proclamation fueled the fight.
To end the conflict, President Lincoln puts General Ulysses S. Grant, who after intense battles managed to take the last bastion of the southern states. There a meeting was held between Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davies, in which it was agreed that the southern states posed to be part of the government and, therefore, their laws were applied to them.
Re-election and assassination
Abraham Lincoln managed to be reelected for a new presidential term, after contesting his candidacy as Republican Party representative with General Ulysses S. Grant. The presidential elections were held on November 8, 1864, and Lincoln won the election with 55.02 percent of the vote.
But fate prevents the president from completing his second presidential term. A attempting certain against him takes place the afternoon of April 15, 1865 in the Ford’s Theater, where Lincoln was preparing to witness a musical called “Our American Cousin.”
When he was already in the box ready to enjoy the function, an actor named John Wilkes Booth, fired a shot from behind the head leaving him in a coma. He died ten hours later.
You may also be interested in: