Abraham Lincoln Views on Slavery - 1608 Words

Abraham Lincoln; Indecisively Decisive Michelle Futo AMH 2010-02 November 19, 2012 Former President Abraham Lincoln is accredited for creating the Emancipation Proclamation and ending slavery in the United States. Due to his actions before and during the Civil War, it seems as though Lincoln always viewed slavery as a terrible thing that must be stopped immediately. But that was not how he always felt. Lincoln’s views on slavery varied during his political career and his plan of action was mostly based off of how he personally felt about slavery. Lincoln admitted in his speeches that he knew slavery was wrong, but the steps that had to be taken to deal with slavery were never concrete in his mind. Based on Lincoln’s upbringing,†¦show more content†¦16) Lincoln clearly stated his dislike for slavery, yet when it comes time for him to discuss what he would do to amend the problem, he does not have a definite solution. This uncertainty, I feel, comes from a desire to have political support from states in both the North and the South. He says he â€Å"agrees with the southerners† on their feelings about slavery but also agrees with the Northern thought that it is immoral. He isn’t an abolitionist who criticizes southerners because he still fully does not understand his feelings on the African American community as a whole. At one point he even suggests to â€Å"send them back to Africa.† (Johnson p. 17) I believe that while Lincoln is reestablishing his political career in 1854, his desire for vast political support is still clouding his view on how to amend the problem of slavery. The longer Lincoln was involved in politics, the more publicity and support he gained. After he campaigned against Douglas for the Senate, he wrote campaign biography to help spread awareness of his ideals. He then traveled to New York in the early 1860’s to give speeches in Manhattan. Northerners took a serious liking to Lincoln and he became a viable Republican candidate for the northeast. As Lincoln’s support grew, so did his knowledge of the nation and the political system. He realized that slavery wasShow MoreRelatedPresident Abraham Lincoln s Views On Slavery876 Words   |  4 Pagesnorm of slavery being an idea in which nobody questions is starting to change. The fight over slavery begins between the north and the south. We also see seven states succeed from the union to show their position on the current government and to prove their views on slavery. President Abraham Lincoln assumes office as president in early March, and the Civil War begins just over a mont h later in 1861. Becoming the first Republican president of the country, he tells us in a short speech his views on slaveryRead MoreAbraham Lincoln : The President That Held Our Nation Together1017 Words   |  5 PagesAbraham Lincoln Research Paper Abraham Lincoln. The president that held our nation together. Lincoln’s early life. Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Hardin County Kentucky, to his parents Thomas Lincoln, and mother Nancy Lincoln. They moved around and eventually settled in the back-woods of Indiana. They lived in a small cabin in the back-country of Indiana. As said by biography.com, â€Å"where the family squatted on public land to scrap out a living in a crudeRead MoreAbraham Lincoln, Slavery and the American Civil War Essay1716 Words   |  7 Pagesinvestigation will analyze how Abraham Lincolns view on slavery reflected during and after the American Civil War from 1861 to 1865. To analyze exactly how Lincolns position on slavery affected the war overall, this investigation looks at Lincolns moral and religious views as well as his social and political views. Two main sources were used, both dealing with events relevant to his political career and his roots in his career and other important issues including slavery. Lincoln by David Herbert DonaldRead MoreAbraham Lincoln, By George Mcgovern Essay1653 Words   |  7 Pages In Abraham Lincoln, by George McGovern, McGovern summarizes and gives insight on one of the United States’ most well-known and highly praised presidents, Abraham Lincoln. McGovern thoroughly outlines Lincoln’s life, his struggles and how he became the great president that he was. One point McGovern continues to mention is how no matter how bad a situation was or even when people doubted Lincoln, he would take his defeats and preserve. In the beginning of the book, McGovern recounts Lincoln’sRead MoreAbraham Lincoln : His Fight For Freedom And Equality Essay1308 Words   |  6 PagesAbraham Lincoln: His Fight for Freedom and Equality Throughout history, slavery has been a controversial topic in the United States. There have been many revolts and rebellions, such as Gabriel’s Rebellion or Nat Turner’s Rebellion, fought over the abolition of slavery or for African Americans to be able to receive the same rights as those of white people. Many people have fought for this cause and one of those people is Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which is oneRead MoreHow Lincoln Made His Personal Ideals Become a Reality632 Words   |  3 Pagesof his life, Abraham Lincoln abhorred slavery. He did not believe in the expansion of slavery, this coincided with his personal values, and the idea the forefathers held, that slavery would eventually end. However, he believed that the institution of slavery should be allowed where it already existed. In fact, during his early presidency he enforced pro-slavery laws to uphold what was already in the constitution. Though he was explicit in his plans to not interfere with slavery, southern statesRead MoreLincoln-Douglas Debate Essay examples1458 Words   |  6 Pagesthat takes place in history arguably leaves an effect that lasts much longer than just the initial outcome. The Lincoln Douglas Debates are by far one of the truest examples of this happening. The seven debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas that took place in 1858 had extreme importance in Illinois that created effects that decided the presidential election of 1860. The Lincoln Douglas debates were a series of several debates that took place all over the state of Illinois. In these debatesRead MoreThe Truth Of The Civil War809 Words   |  4 PagesAnsley Yates Dr. Abraham HIST 1301-41008 22 November 2014 The Truth The civil war was a war fought between the north and the south. The periods of the war went from 1861 to 1865. The ways in which slavery and Abraham Lincoln are portrayed very differently in Nast’s cartoon of Abraham Lincoln and Alexander H. Stephens’ â€Å"cornerstone speech†. The majority of the northern states had a different view than the southern states. Ultimately, the south along with Stephens went against the deceleration ofRead MoreAbraham Lincoln: Great Emancipator or Common Politician?1487 Words   |  6 PagesPresident Abraham Lincoln has been revered as one of the greatest presidents in the history of the United States. He is known for his great effect on slavery and served his terms during the civil war in a time of great controversy. The American Civil War (1860-1865) occurred at the exact time of Lincolns presidency (1861-1865). The North and the South were divided and a big issue was slavery, on which Lincoln took an anti-slavery stance. Linco ln has been called many things because of his views fromRead MoreThe Impact Of The 1860 Presidential Election1442 Words   |  6 Pagespresidential election of Abraham Lincoln greatly contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln, born in Kentucky on February 12, 1809, served as the sixteenth president of the United States. He was the very first Republican to serve as president, eventually leading the Union to victory during the civil war. Lincoln opposed the idea of the expansion of slavery but acknowledged that he would not interfere with slavery where it existed. Despite this, Southern fears that slavery would soon be abolished