How can a nation turn against itself? How can brothers turn on one another and tear apart their families? No man hesitated to stand up for what he believed in even if the consequence was the destruction of his country. Equality was not an option for some, yet it was hope for others who believed that their country could be a better place. The American Civil War presented the nation with a crucial question: Who could lead America to restoration and unity? It had to be someone with experience and leadership, someone with guts and bravery, someone who could look at the nation as a whole and not take sides. Therefore, Abraham Lincoln was chosen to solve one of America’s toughest conflicts, and he showed courage to free the slaves as well as determination
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In his Inaugural Address, Lincoln cautioned the Southern states when he said, “In your hands, my dissatisfied countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war” (“Abraham Lincoln,” The White House). He believed the Union would succeed in the war and “for Lincoln the ‘cargo’ the Union carried was the Principles of the Declaration of Independence: The principles of democracy, liberty, and equality” (United States). With little military experience, Lincoln was presented with a task that would be very tough, but “he was able to analyze situations quickly and make good decisions” (K. Hillstrom, L. Hillstrom, Baker 272). He wanted equality for all and this lead him to issue the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 (“Abraham Lincoln,” The White House). Lincoln proclaimed “by the virtue and power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated states, and parts of states, are, and henceforward shall be free” (“Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation”). This proclamation freed few people because it did not apply to the border states and many people in the rebellious states ignored it. It made a statement though, and it showed that Lincoln was fighting this war to end slavery and to provide equality for all. It was a bold and risky move, but was …show more content…
It was on April 9, 1865, when Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union in Appomattox, Virginia ending the Civil War. Lincoln had succeeded in restoring the Union and the beliefs of the country (K. Hillstrom, L. Hillstrom, Baker 275). His goal was to now “bind up the nation’s wounds” (Holzer) and treat the South with compassion. Lincoln wasn’t looking to punish the South for what had happened, but to help heal and to send efforts that would fix the damaged southern lands. Abraham Lincoln should not just be remembered as the president who lead the country through a civil war, but also as a man who cared and had an attitude that was meant to better and help others’ lives (“Abraham Lincoln’s Greatest Accomplishment”). The South would soon be on its way to recovery and it would have happened quickly, but tragedy struck the nation. On April 14, five days after the Confederacy’s surrender, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater. Northern States were mortified as “Lincoln had managed to keep the dream of a restored Union alive despite many periods of doubt and discouragement” (K. Hillstrom, L. Hillstrom, Baker 277). The President was honored and citizens paid their respects, showing just how important Lincoln had been to them and to the slaves he helped
In his Inaugural Address, Lincoln cautioned the Southern states when he said, “In your hands, my dissatisfied countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war” (“Abraham Lincoln,” The White House). He believed the Union would succeed in the war and “for Lincoln the ‘cargo’ the Union carried was the Principles of the Declaration of Independence: The principles of democracy, liberty, and equality” (United States). With little military experience, Lincoln was presented with a task that would be very tough, but “he was able to analyze situations quickly and make good decisions” (K. Hillstrom, L. Hillstrom, Baker 272). He wanted equality for all and this lead him to issue the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863 (“Abraham Lincoln,” The White House). Lincoln proclaimed “by the virtue and power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated states, and parts of states, are, and henceforward shall be free” (“Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation”). This proclamation freed few people because it did not apply to the border states and many people in the rebellious states ignored it. It made a statement though, and it showed that Lincoln was fighting this war to end slavery and to provide equality for all. It was a bold and risky move, but was …show more content…
It was on April 9, 1865, when Robert E. Lee surrendered to the Union in Appomattox, Virginia ending the Civil War. Lincoln had succeeded in restoring the Union and the beliefs of the country (K. Hillstrom, L. Hillstrom, Baker 275). His goal was to now “bind up the nation’s wounds” (Holzer) and treat the South with compassion. Lincoln wasn’t looking to punish the South for what had happened, but to help heal and to send efforts that would fix the damaged southern lands. Abraham Lincoln should not just be remembered as the president who lead the country through a civil war, but also as a man who cared and had an attitude that was meant to better and help others’ lives (“Abraham Lincoln’s Greatest Accomplishment”). The South would soon be on its way to recovery and it would have happened quickly, but tragedy struck the nation. On April 14, five days after the Confederacy’s surrender, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater. Northern States were mortified as “Lincoln had managed to keep the dream of a restored Union alive despite many periods of doubt and discouragement” (K. Hillstrom, L. Hillstrom, Baker 277). The President was honored and citizens paid their respects, showing just how important Lincoln had been to them and to the slaves he helped