Lincoln

Definition

Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest American presidents, known for his leadership during the American Civil War and his role in abolishing slavery.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Lincoln's election as president in 1860 was a key factor in the outbreak of the Civil War, as several Southern states seceded from the Union in response to his anti-slavery stance.
2. As president, Lincoln played a crucial role in the Union's military strategy and decision-making during the Civil War, including the appointment of key generals like Ulysses S. Grant.
3. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by Lincoln in 1863, declared all enslaved people in Confederate-held territories to be free, effectively transforming the war into a fight for the abolition of slavery.
4. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is considered one of the most famous and influential speeches in American history.
5. Lincoln's assassination by John Wilkes Booth in 1865, just days after the end of the Civil War, was a tragic event that sent the nation into mourning and had lasting impacts on the course of Reconstruction.

Review Questions

• Explain how Lincoln's election as president in 1860 contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War.
  • Lincoln's election as the 16th President of the United States in 1860 was a key factor in the outbreak of the Civil War. As a candidate who opposed the expansion of slavery, Lincoln's victory was seen as a threat by many Southern states, who subsequently seceded from the Union in protest. This led to the outbreak of the Civil War, as the Confederate states sought to establish their own independent nation in order to preserve the institution of slavery.
• Describe the significance of the Emancipation Proclamation issued by Lincoln during the Civil War.
  • The Emancipation Proclamation, issued by President Lincoln in 1863, was a pivotal moment in the Civil War and a defining act of Lincoln's presidency. By declaring all enslaved people in Confederate-held territories to be free, the Proclamation transformed the war from a conflict to preserve the Union into a fight for the abolition of slavery. This decision not only undermined the Confederacy's economic and social foundations but also helped to rally international support for the Union cause, as the fight against slavery resonated with many around the world.
• Analyze the lasting impact of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address on American history and national identity.
  • Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania in 1863, is widely regarded as one of the most influential speeches in American history. In just a few powerful and eloquent sentences, Lincoln reaffirmed the nation's founding principles of equality and democracy, and redefined the purpose of the Civil War as a struggle to preserve the Union and the ideals of the American experiment. The Gettysburg Address has become a touchstone of American national identity, inspiring generations of citizens to recommit to the unfinished work of building a more perfect union. Its enduring legacy continues to shape how Americans understand their history and their role in shaping the country's future.

Related terms

Emancipation Proclamation:

An executive order issued by Lincoln in 1863 that declared all enslaved people in Confederate-held territories to be free.

Gettysburg Address: Lincoln's famous speech delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, in 1863, which became a defining moment of the Civil War.

Union Army: The armed forces of the United States during the American Civil War, which fought to preserve the Union and defeat the Confederate States of America.