Throughout history presidency is known as one of the most important positions in all of American government. Whoever is determined to be president has the responsibility of shaping the way people look at America as a whole through not only their actions but also through their words. I’m sure we can call agree that the essence of the presidency has certainly evolved considerably over the course of American history. Although the twentieth century is revolved around a president-centered government, the framers of the constitution had a more limited role in mind. One of the most intriguing and significant presidential elections of our time would hands down have to be the election of 1860.
This election would ultimately determine the future of …show more content…
Talk of secession had always been discussed since the 1830s but after Lincoln took office it started to take on a more serious tone. Although the Civil War wasn’t directly caused by Lincoln’s election the election was considered one of the primary reasons the war broke out the next year. Lincoln’s choice to take up arms rather than to let the Southern states secede was not in any way related to his feelings towards slavery. Lincoln felt that it was his obligation as President to save the Union no matter what the circumstances were. His first introductory address was an earnest request to the states that had choose to rebel, seven of which had already seceded, to return to the nation. After a few years in office Lincoln was growing convinced that he would not be re-elected. He wrote a letter asking his cabinet to sign their names in a means to commit to continue to fight for the preservation of the Union. The letter said: "This morning, as for some days past, it seems exceedingly probable that this Administration will not be re-elected. Then it will by my duty to so cooperate with the Government President elect, as to save the Union between the Election and the inauguration; as he will have secured his election on such ground that he cannot possibly save it afterwards." (Lincoln, 1864). Despite his doubts and doubts within the Party, Lincoln won the Republican nomination and election in November 1864. The following year, Lincoln gave his second inaugural address at the capital. Less then to months later, tragedy had strike the nation. Lincoln was assassinated by James Knox on April 14, 1865 while attending a show at the Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. Abraham Lincoln was unlike any other President that we’ve had in history thus far. He fulfilled his role as president and is one of the primary
This election would ultimately determine the future of …show more content…
Talk of secession had always been discussed since the 1830s but after Lincoln took office it started to take on a more serious tone. Although the Civil War wasn’t directly caused by Lincoln’s election the election was considered one of the primary reasons the war broke out the next year. Lincoln’s choice to take up arms rather than to let the Southern states secede was not in any way related to his feelings towards slavery. Lincoln felt that it was his obligation as President to save the Union no matter what the circumstances were. His first introductory address was an earnest request to the states that had choose to rebel, seven of which had already seceded, to return to the nation. After a few years in office Lincoln was growing convinced that he would not be re-elected. He wrote a letter asking his cabinet to sign their names in a means to commit to continue to fight for the preservation of the Union. The letter said: "This morning, as for some days past, it seems exceedingly probable that this Administration will not be re-elected. Then it will by my duty to so cooperate with the Government President elect, as to save the Union between the Election and the inauguration; as he will have secured his election on such ground that he cannot possibly save it afterwards." (Lincoln, 1864). Despite his doubts and doubts within the Party, Lincoln won the Republican nomination and election in November 1864. The following year, Lincoln gave his second inaugural address at the capital. Less then to months later, tragedy had strike the nation. Lincoln was assassinated by James Knox on April 14, 1865 while attending a show at the Ford’s Theatre in Washington D.C. Abraham Lincoln was unlike any other President that we’ve had in history thus far. He fulfilled his role as president and is one of the primary