"[258] Lincoln was determined to find meaning in the war in its aftermath, and did not want to continue to outcast the southern states. [220] In a letter of August 22, 1862, Lincoln said that while he personally wished all men could be free, regardless of that, his first obligation as president was to preserve the Union:[221], My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. [372] He noted that Lincoln used ethnic slurs and told jokes that ridiculed blacks. Drawing by Beighaus, courtesy National Park Service, (AD) "Weird But True Know-It-All: U.S. Presidents". At an annual reporters dinner that year, Roosevelt was presented with an 8-foot tall papier- mch sphinx in his likeness. He declared that such an amendment would "clinch the whole matter" and by December 1863 an amendment was brought to Congress. He wrote at this time that God "could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a human contest. In afteryears he recalled the panthers scream, the bears that preyed on the swine, and the poverty of Indiana frontier life, which was pretty pinching at times. The unhappiest period of his boyhood followed the death of his mother in the autumn of 1818. Throughout the 1850s, Lincoln had doubted the prospects of civil war, and his supporters rejected claims that his election would incite secession. Owens arrived that November and he courted her for a time; however, they both had second thoughts. Abraham Lincoln: Facts, Birthday & Assassination - History Lincoln, a moderate Republican, had to navigate a contentious array of factions with friends and opponents from both the Democratic and Republican parties. [385][386], Lincoln's portrait appears on two denominations of United States currency, the penny and the $5 bill. [110], In 1854, Lincoln was elected to the Illinois legislature but declined to take his seat. He believed in his own integrity and worked diligently to maintain his reputation as an honest politician and lawyer -something that was not always easy in either of those fields. The appointments were both politically neutral and adroit on Lincoln's part. Very quickly questions arose concerning three of the executions that have not been answered. "[242] Grant's army moved steadily south. 2023 A&E Television Networks, LLC. His earliest memories were of this home and, in particular, of a flash flood that once washed away the corn and pumpkin seeds he had helped his father plant. All Rights Reserved. [205] Pope satisfied Lincoln's desire to advance on Richmond from the north, thus protecting Washington from counterattack. [326] With the death of his son Edward in 1850 he more frequently expressed a dependence on God. Quick Answer: How Did Abraham Lincoln Get His Nickname Pro-slavery elements in the South viewed his election as a threat to slavery, and Southern states began seceding from the nation. While Herbert Hoover is remembered by many for his perceived lack of government intervention in the first years of the Great Depression, he won the White House in 1928 in large part thanks to his successful handling of a series of crises more than a decade earlier. How did Abraham Lincoln get the nickname of "Honest Abe?" - Fun Trivia New Salem, Ill. Lincoln not only pulled off his strategy of gaining the nomination in 1846 but also won the election. [252], The Democratic platform followed the "Peace wing" of the party and called the war a "failure"; but their candidate, McClellan, supported the war and repudiated the platform. Here are nine lesser-known nuggets about America's most-beloved president. ", Major Robert Anderson, commander of the Union's Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, sent a request for provisions to Washington, and Lincoln's order to meet that request was seen by the secessionists as an act of war. He assumed that political control in the South would pass to white Unionists, reluctant secessionists, and forward-looking former Confederates. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. And some of the Jacksonian spirit resided inside the Lincoln White House. I have heard, in such a way as to believe it, of your recently saying that both the army and the government needed a dictator. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. . 'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' may already have a sequel. It will become all one thing, or all the other. It was not until 1901, after the killing of two other presidents, that the Secret Service was formally assigned to protect the commander-in-chief. 10 Things You May Not Know About Abraham Lincoln - History [207], Despite his dissatisfaction with McClellan's failure to reinforce Pope, Lincoln restored him to command of all forces around Washington. Lincoln commented on his thought process, "We need the strongest men of the party in the Cabinet. Additional Credits He spoke with a backwoods twang and walked in the long-striding, flat-footed, cautious manner of a plowman. There, as a squatter on public land, he hastily put up a half-faced campa crude structure of logs and boughs with one side open to the weatherin which the family took shelter behind a blazing fire. The nicknames given to Americas commanders in chief have been as varied as the people themselves. Responding to criticism of Grant after Shiloh, Lincoln had said, "I can't spare this man. www.fpri.org Copyright 20002023. We needed to hold our own people together. [112], Violent political confrontations in Kansas continued, and opposition to the KansasNebraska Act remained strong throughout the North. "[124] The speech created a stark image of the danger of disunion. [91] He later represented a bridge company against a riverboat company in Hurd v. Rock Island Bridge Company, a landmark case involving a canal boat that sank after hitting a bridge. [30], As a teen, Lincoln took responsibility for chores and customarily gave his father all earnings from work outside the home until he was 21. The Hanks genealogy is difficult to trace, but Nancy appears to have been of illegitimate birth. Fortunately, before the onset of a second winter, Thomas Lincoln brought home from Kentucky a new wife for himself, a new mother for the children. Six feet four inches tall, he was rawboned and lanky but muscular and physically powerful. His father was a pioneer and a farmer, and his mother was a deeply religious woman who died when Lincoln was young. In his first campaign speech after returning from his military service, Lincoln observed a supporter in the crowd under attack, grabbed the assailant by his "neck and the seat of his trousers", and tossed him. Furthermore, it was a national duty to ensure the republic stands in every state. Lincoln then declared his opposition to slavery, which he repeated en route to the presidency. purchase. He had very little formal education, but . Abraham Lincoln - The Truth About Honest Abe | World History In the four-way presidential race of 1860, Lincoln got more votes than any other candidate. As a child, Ronald Reagan had been nicknamed Dutch by his father, who thought his son looked like a fat, little Dutchman. The nickname stuck and was frequently used by family and friends throughout his life. His Marriage Was Rocky. [131] In May 1859, Lincoln purchased the Illinois Staats-Anzeiger, a German-language newspaper that was consistently supportive; most of the state's 130,000 German Americans voted for Democrats, but the German-language paper mobilized Republican support. Roosevelt, of course, ran and won, and the sphinx remains on display at his presidential museum. Yet the contest began. [138] But Lincoln demonstrated intellectual leadership that brought him into contention. An example of his candor is the following excerpt from a letter to Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker in early 1863: "I have placed you at the head of the Army of the Potomac. Abraham Lincoln vs George Washington - Difference and Comparison | Diffen [294], In June 1864, Lincoln approved the Yosemite Grant enacted by Congress, which provided unprecedented federal protection for the area now known as Yosemite National Park. PO Box 1773 / 61 N. West Street The area was also good soil for Lincoln's own development. [218], In June 1862, Congress passed an act banning slavery on all federal territory, which Lincoln signed. Unauthorized use is prohibited. [296], Lincoln named his main political rival William H. Seward as Secretary of State, and left most diplomatic issues in his portfolio. As States sent Union regiments south, on April 19, Baltimore mobs in control of the rail links attacked Union troops who were changing trains. Always comfortable telling jokes and stories around the men of Springfield, he usually was awkward and self-conscious around women. How did he get that name, and was he deserving of it? Honest Abe: Abraham Lincoln and the Moral Character [209] That battle, a Union victory, was among the bloodiest in American history; it facilitated Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation in January. Monitor journalism changes lives because we open that too-small box that most people think they live in. Meanwhile, Lincoln and the Republican leadership agreed that the dismantling of the Union could not be tolerated. Lincoln's work as an everyman's store clerk and trustworthy business owner helped lead to his nickname as "Honest Abe". His maverick reputation (and background as an enslaved-holding Southerner) made him an appealing candidate to balance the presidential ticket for the Whig Party in 1840. Tiny New Salem offered one of America's greatest historical figures the time and the place to learn who he was and what his abilities were. Among American heroes, Lincoln continues to have a unique appeal for his fellow countrymen and also for people of other lands. He is as honest as he is shrewd, and if I beat him my victory will be hardly won. Secretary of War Stanton had issued orders that Booth be taken alive, so Corbett was initially arrested to be court martialed. In it, he deemed the war casualties to be God's will. Lincoln began to appreciate the critical need to control strategic points, such as the Mississippi River. Enjoy this reimagined American folktale about young Abraham Lincoln. Watch more PragerU Kids shows HERE https://l.pr. [373] Defenders of Lincoln, such as authors Dirck and Cashin, retorted that he was not as bad as most politicians of his day[374] and that he was a "moral visionary" who deftly advanced the abolitionist cause, as fast as politically possible. Corrections? His appearance in the popular 1940 film Knute Rockne: All American as Notre Dame football player George Gipp earned him another nickname for his deathbed plea that his team win one for the Gipper.. Permissions and Citations [229] The Emancipation Proclamation having stated that freedmen would be "received into the armed service of the United States," enlisting these freedmen became official policy. [150] When Douglas was selected as the candidate of the Northern Democrats, delegates from eleven slave states walked out of the Democratic convention; they opposed Douglas's position on popular sovereignty, and selected incumbent Vice President John C. Breckinridge as their candidate. Lincolns presidency was tragically cut short, but his contributions to the United States ensured that he would be remembered as one of its most influential presidents. Your session to The Christian "[145] Michael Martinez wrote about the effective imaging of Lincoln by his campaign. In truth, Republican leadership had all but decided to abandon Reconstruction before the election, with Hayes removing the few remaining federal troops months later. Zachary Taylor was born in Virginia and grew up on the Kentucky frontier, the child of prosperous farmers. Although the Constitution did not explicitly state that the vice president automatically assumed the full powers of the presidency, Tyler did just that. Lincoln instructed his backers to vote for Lyman Trumbull. Stanton centralized the War Department's activities, auditing and canceling contracts, saving the federal government $17,000,000. Lincoln gained the support of Congress and the northern public for these actions. We believe news can and should expand a sense of identity and possibility beyond narrow conventional expectations. "Honest Get Access Biography of Abraham Lincoln How Did Abraham Lincoln Changed Our Society. Practical information. [121] Some eastern Republicans supported Douglas for his opposition to the Lecompton Constitution and admission of Kansas as a slave state. [228], With the abolition of slavery in the rebel states now a military objective, Union armies advancing south liberated all three million slaves in the Confederacy. [290] The Revenue Act of 1862 adopted rates that increased with income. While in office his administration faced difficulties guarding Western settlers, railroads, and telegraphs, from Indian attacks. He gave the famous Gettysburg Address speech and the Great Emancipation that freed the slaves. [298] Seward's main role was to keep Britain and France from supporting the Confederacy. In 1863, Lincoln declared the final Thursday in November of that year to be a day of Thanksgiving. [245] Lincoln's engagement became distinctly personal on one occasion in 1864 when Confederate general Jubal Early raided Washington, D.C. Legend has it that while Lincoln watched from an exposed position, Union Captain (and future Supreme Court Justice) Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. shouted at him, "Get down, you damn fool, before you get shot! [284] The passage of the Homestead Act and the Pacific Railway Acts was enabled by the absence of Southern congressmen and senators who had opposed the measures in the 1850s. Finally, Lincoln's Treasury Secretary, Salmon P. Chase, became Chief Justice. [379], Barry Schwartz wrote in 2009 that Lincoln's image suffered "erosion, fading prestige, benign ridicule" in the late 20th century. He felt such action could be taken only within the war powers of the commander-in-chief, which he planned to exercise. Lincoln-Berry General Store - Wikipedia In his view, the Union was worth saving not only for its own sake but because it embodied an ideal, the ideal of self-government. Most were log dwellings -- not to be confused with log cabins, which settlers used only until they could erect log houses, which were chinked and tightly sealed with a mud-and-wheat straw cement daubing. DIED: April 15, 1865, in Washington, D.C. TIME IN OFFICE: March 4, 1861, to April 15, 1865, VICE PRESIDENTS: Hannibal Hamlin (first term), Andrew Johnson (second term), POLITICAL PARTY: Republican (formerly Whig). Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, was an abuser. Lincoln proved to be a shrewd military strategist and a savvy leader: His Emancipation Proclamation paved the way for slavery's abolition, while his Gettysburg Address stands as one of the most. [134], Over the coming months, Lincoln was tireless, making nearly fifty speeches along the campaign trail. That doomed amendment would have protected slavery in states where it already existed. When he occupied the White House, the 16th president used the current Lincoln Bedroom as his personal office. Abraham Lincoln meets with Union troops at Sharpsburg following the battle of Antietam in Maryland on October 3, 1862. Lincoln confidentially pledged in writing that if he should lose the election, he would still defeat the Confederacy before turning over the White House;[251] Lincoln did not show the pledge to his cabinet, but asked them to sign the sealed envelope. Updates? [294] Thanksgiving had become a regional holiday in New England in the 17th century. [83] Lincoln later regretted some of his statements, especially his attack on presidential war-making powers. [235], Defying his prediction that "the world will little note, nor long remember what we say here", the Address became the most quoted speech in American history. you are agreeing to our, One month free trial to theMonitorDaily, Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor. The Lincoln cent, an American coin portraying Lincoln, This article is about the president of the United States. [362][363], Sociologist Barry Schwartz argues that Lincoln's American reputation grew slowly from the late 19th century until the Progressive Era (19001920s), when he emerged as one of America's most venerated heroes, even among white Southerners. Meet our Contributing Editors Lincoln didnt move to Illinois until he was 21. When the Irish Invaded Canada: The Incredible True Story of the Civil War Veterans Who Fought for Irelands Freedom, Strong Boy: The Life and Times of John L. Sullivan. Date of Birth - Death February 12, 1809 - April 15, 1865. It is likely that had he lived, Lincoln would have followed a policy similar to Johnson's, that he would have clashed with congressional Radicals, that he would have produced a better result for the freedmen than occurred, and that his political skills would have helped him avoid Johnson's mistakes. "[367] However, Schwartz also finds that since World War II Lincoln's symbolic power has lost relevance, and this "fading hero is symptomatic of fading confidence in national greatness." [82] The resolution was ignored in both Congress and the national papers, and it cost Lincoln political support in his district. After his nomination he delivered his House Divided Speech, with the biblical reference Mark 3:25, "A house divided against itself cannot stand. Lincoln was an obviously imposing man at 6 ft. Americans asked, "What would Lincoln do? To broaden his coalition to include War Democrats as well as Republicans, Lincoln ran under the label of the new Union Party.[250]. At the last minute, Grant decided to go to New Jersey to visit his children instead of attending the play. ", "Rating the Presidents of the United States, 17892000", "Americans Say Reagan Is the Greatest U.S. President", "A Civil War Mystery: Who Named Lincoln the 'Great Emancipator'? In Louisiana, Lincoln ordered General Nathaniel P. Banks to promote a plan that would reestablish statehood when 10 percent of the voters agreed, and only if the reconstructed states abolished slavery. "[352] James G. Randall emphasizes his tolerance and moderation "in his preference for orderly progress, his distrust of dangerous agitation, and his reluctance toward ill digested schemes of reform." As a member of the Illinois legislature and later in his law practice, he took advantage of his reputation for honesty and fairness to help broaden his constituency. Americas 16th president came from famously humble origins, born in a one-room log cabin in Kentucky. It had been sporadically proclaimed by the federal government on irregular dates. Ohio-born Rutherford B. Hayes was an attorney, Civil War veteran, Congressman and former governor of Ohio when he became the Republican presidential nominee in 1876. His intransigence on the subject scuttled possibilities of a peace conference between the Union and the Confederacy in 1864. [25], Lincoln was largely self-educated. He became county wrestling champion at the age of 21. [122] Many Illinois Republicans resented this eastern interference. On April 14, 1865, just five days after the war's end at Appomattox, he was attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Mary, when he was fatally shot by Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth. (This was his second visit to that city, his first having been made in 1828, while he still lived in Indiana.) [46], In 1839, Lincoln met Mary Todd in Springfield, Illinois, and the following year they became engaged. The Civil War officially began on April 12, 1861, at Fort Sumter, South Carolina, when troops from the Confederacy attacked the U.S. fort. [361] Historians have said he was "a classical liberal" in the 19th-century sense. '', The most appealing thing I found about New Salem is its relaxed atmosphere. [22] Abraham became close to his stepmother and called her "Mother". Lincoln vetoed only four bills, including the Wade-Davis Bill with its harsh Reconstruction program. In an effort to shed the weight, Taft consulted a British dietician who put him on a restricted (for Taft, anyway) diet of high proteins and low carbs and insisted he keep a food diary. He also practiced law in Illinois during the 1830s and 40s, and in that time he became one of the states most renowned lawyers. He went to school on and off for a total of about a year, but he educated himself by reading borrowed books. Check out our 2016 Syllabus Tips for Close Readings [278][additional citation(s) needed] In it the Chippewa specified that they wanted to use the indigenous rules of warfare. At the same time, Grant captured Vicksburg and gained control of the Mississippi River, splitting the far western rebel states. "[127], The Senate campaign featured seven debates between Lincoln and Douglas. Lincoln believed Chase was an able jurist, would support Reconstruction legislation, and that his appointment united the Republican Party. Horace Greeley, editor of the New York Tribune, at that time wrote up an unflattering account of Lincoln's compromising position on slavery and his reluctance to challenge the court's Dred-Scott ruling, which was promptly used against him by his political rivals. Abraham Lincoln, byname Honest Abe, the Rail-Splitter, or the Great Emancipator, (born February 12, 1809, near Hodgenville, Kentucky, U.S.died April 15, 1865, Washington, D.C.), 16th president of the United States (186165), who preserved the Union during the American Civil War and brought about the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. [154] The Republican Party's production of campaign literature dwarfed the combined opposition; a Chicago Tribune writer produced a pamphlet that detailed Lincoln's life and sold 100,000200,000 copies. I do but quote from one of those speeches when I declare that "I have no purpose, directly or indirectly, to interfere with the institution of slavery in the States where it exists. [390] The United States Navy Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USSAbraham Lincoln(CVN-72) is named after Lincoln, the second Navy ship to bear his name. Lincoln was a descendant of the Harrisons through his grandmother, Bathsheba Herring. Lincoln used conversation and his patronage powersgreatly expanded from peacetimeto build support and fend off the Radicals' efforts to replace him. Now Northerners and Southerners were close to war. One Illinois newspaper derisively nicknamed him "spotty Lincoln". [302], On April 14, 1865, hours before he was assassinated, Lincoln signed legislation establishing the United States Secret Service,[303] and, at 10:15 in the evening, Booth entered the back of Lincoln's theater box, crept up from behind, and fired at the back of Lincoln's head, mortally wounding him. Lesson Plans [188] On August 6, 1861, Lincoln signed the Confiscation Act that authorized judicial proceedings to confiscate and free slaves who were used to support the Confederates. Lincoln managed his own successful re-election campaign. Height. Robert Todd Lincoln immediately recognized his rescuer: famous actor Edwin Booth, brother of John Wilkes. She was the daughter of Alexander and Abigail Herring (ne Harrison). Explore 10 things you may not know about the 16th U.S. president. 9 Questions About the American Civil War Answered, Match the Quote to the Speaker: American Speeches, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abraham-Lincoln, Spartacus Educational - Biography of Abraham Lincoln, The White House - Biography of Abraham Lincoln, American National Biography - Biography of Abraham Lincoln, American Battlefields Trust - Biography of Abraham Lincoln, Indian Child - Biography of Abraham Lincoln, The Ohio State University - ehistory - Abraham Lincoln, Social Studies for Kids - Biography of Abraham Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Abraham Lincoln - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), presidency of the United States of America (1861-1865), Abraham Lincoln: statue at the Lincoln Memorial. This charm derives from his remarkable life storythe rise from humble origins, the dramatic deathand from his distinctively human and humane personality as well as from his historical role as saviour of the Union and emancipator of enslaved people. The Great Emancipator wasnt quite WWE material, but thanks to his long limbs he was an accomplished wrestler as a young man. "[139], Historian David Herbert Donald described the speech as "a superb political move for an unannounced presidential aspirant. This was a principle to which he remained true all of his life. PDF Honest Abe Contextual Essay We [206] But Pope was then soundly defeated at the Second Battle of Bull Run in the summer of 1862, forcing the Army of the Potomac back to defend Washington. [151] A group of former Whigs and Know Nothings formed the Constitutional Union Party and nominated John Bell of Tennessee. Honest Abe was a nickname that Abraham Lincoln embraced with pride. 4in., but that was not the only thing that made him a big man to his admirers. It's been called a ``backwoods Williamsburg.'' Nixons opponent was fellow Congressmember Helen Gahagan Douglas, a former actress who had become Californias first female Democratic representative. He soon became a leader of the new Republican Party. improve functionality and performance. Noah Haynes Swayne was an anti-slavery lawyer who was committed to the Union. Just months after the war formally ended in 1848, he was elected president, but he served just 16 months before dying of gastroenteritis. Abraham Lincoln, sixteenth President of the United States, was born near Hodgenville, Kentucky on February 12, 1809. 6,469 in 1849. [236], General Ulysses Grant's victories at the Battle of Shiloh and in the Vicksburg campaign impressed Lincoln. Lincoln, 22 years old, was piloting a large flatboat full of corn and live hogs down the Sangamon River, on his way to the Mississippi and New Orleans, when the boat got stuck on a dam outside the hamlet of New Salem. In 1861, Lincoln signed the second and third Morrill Tariffs, following the first enacted by Buchanan. He reached a national audience in the 1858 Senate campaign debates against Stephen A. Douglas. [original research?] //-->. All rights reserved. President Abraham Lincoln Biography | American Battlefield Trust Randall concludes that "he was conservative in his complete avoidance of that type of so-called 'radicalism' which involved abuse of the South, hatred for the slaveholder, thirst for vengeance, partisan plotting, and ungenerous demands that Southern institutions be transformed overnight by outsiders. But he was yet to demonstrate whatever other abilities he possessed. [8] Thomas and Nancy married on June 12, 1806, in Washington County, and moved to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. [20] Ten years later, on January 20, 1828, Sarah died while giving birth to a stillborn son, devastating Lincoln. Lincoln was the tallest president among all US presidents so far. Benjamin Franklin isnt the only American political leader who demonstrated an inventive mind.