The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln

Early Life and Family Background of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a one-room log cabin on the Sinking Spring Farm in Hardin County, Kentucky, which is now part of present-day LaRue County. He was the second child of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln. His older sister, Sarah, and younger brother, Thomas Jr., who died in infancy, completed the family. The Lincolns faced adversity early on; Nancy Lincoln died from milk sickness in 1818, leaving nine-year-old Abraham and his sister without a mother. Thomas Lincoln remarried the following year to Sarah Bush Johnston, who brought additional children into the family and provided a caring home. The family's move to Indiana was motivated by a combination of land disputes and health concerns, including the threat of milk sickness. It was in Indiana and later in New Salem, Illinois, where Abraham Lincoln grew up and began to develop his character and values.

Lincoln's Self-Education and Early Career

Abraham Lincoln's early life was marked by physical labor and limited formal education. However, he was an eager learner, teaching himself through reading and personal study. He read a wide range of literature, including the Bible, Aesop's Fables, and works by William Shakespeare. Lincoln's early career was varied; he worked as a rail-splitter, a flatboatman, and a store clerk, among other jobs. His experiences on a flatboat trip to New Orleans exposed him to the realities of slavery, which left a lasting impression on him. At the age of 22, Lincoln moved to New Salem, Illinois, where he engaged in various occupations, including surveying and serving as the postmaster, further shaping his understanding of the wider world and the American people.

Lincoln's Marriage and Family Life

Abraham Lincoln married Mary Todd on November 4, 1842. The couple had four sons: Robert Todd, Edward Baker, William Wallace, and Thomas "Tad" Lincoln. Tragically, only Robert would survive into adulthood. The Lincoln family faced considerable personal sorrow as three of their children died young. Despite the demands of his career, Lincoln was a loving and involved father, often bringing his children to his law office. His family life was an important aspect of his personal development, providing a counterbalance to his professional and political endeavors.

Lincoln's Entry into Politics

Abraham Lincoln's political career began in the early 1830s when he first ran for the Illinois General Assembly and was defeated. He was elected to the state legislature in 1834 and served four successive terms as a member of the Whig Party. During this time, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1836, establishing a successful legal practice in Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln's political philosophy was shaped by his belief in the importance of a strong federal government and the rule of law. He served a single term in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1847 to 1849, where he spoke out against the Mexican-American War and supported the Wilmot Proviso, which sought to ban slavery in territories acquired from Mexico.

Lincoln's Stance on Slavery and Return to National Politics

Abraham Lincoln's opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed for the possibility of slavery's expansion into new territories, reinvigorated his political career. His eloquent Peoria Speech articulated his moral opposition to slavery and his belief in the principles of the Declaration of Independence. Lincoln's involvement in the formation of the Republican Party and his debates with Stephen A. Douglas during the 1858 Illinois Senate race brought him into the national spotlight. Although he lost the Senate race, his articulate defense of free soil and the Union prepared the way for his presidential candidacy. His Cooper Union speech in 1860 demonstrated his intellectual and moral leadership and helped secure his nomination as the Republican candidate for president.

Lincoln's Presidency and the Civil War

Abraham Lincoln's presidency was dominated by the American Civil War, which began shortly after he took office. His primary objective was the preservation of the Union. Lincoln's leadership was characterized by his commitment to the principles of democracy and human liberty. The Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, declared the freedom of all slaves in Confederate-held territory and was a pivotal step in transforming the war into a fight for human freedom. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered on November 19, 1863, eloquently reaffirmed the nation's founding principles and the sacrifices made during the war. His ability to articulate the moral foundation of the Union cause was a key factor in its ultimate success.

Assassination and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln's life was tragically cut short when he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, an actor and Confederate sympathizer, at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., on April 14, 1865. His death came just days after the surrender of General Robert E. Lee, effectively ending the Civil War. Lincoln's legacy is profound and enduring. He is remembered as a champion of freedom and equality, whose leadership helped preserve the United States as a unified nation. His speeches, particularly the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address, are celebrated for their eloquence and moral vision. Monuments, such as the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., and his preserved childhood home in Kentucky, serve as lasting tributes to his contributions to American history. Lincoln's life exemplifies the ideals of perseverance, integrity, and commitment to the principles of liberty and equality.