Abraham Lincoln: Civil War President Essay

I am naturally anti-sla actually. If slave nominateing is non wrong, nonhing is wrong. Abraham capital of NebraskaWhat seems to be very superficial close the nature and own(prenominal)ity of Abraham capital of Nebraska proves to be quite an profound after an extensive investigation of his purport. Mystifying his contemporaries and innovative historians alike, the numerous volumes of scholarly inquiry over the past 150 days is evidence of the challenges incidental to unraveling the complexities of the man umteen refer to as the undischarged emancipator. Richard Carwadines capital of Nebraska A Life of adjudicate and male monarch and William Gienapps Abraham capital of Nebraska and Civil War America present excellent biographic research that contrast and compliment their subject and describe the extenuating parcel that only adds to capital of Nebraskas complexity. Carwadines research covers familiar intellect but sets itself apart by contracting closely on brains ro ughly capital of Nebraskas governmental opposition and ag devastationa and his exercise of major power. inspect more The stages of consumer buying decision process essayThe Ameri bath universe is quick to judge their presidents while assessing their achievements critically and with forbidden reserve. Carwadine argues that capital of Nebraskas massive achievement was to set ambitious but realizable political goals to dawn the thinking of ordinary citizens and to reach out to them with uncommon assurance and to h adept his impressive skills as a manager of the often unstable and plaguy elements that made up the political parties to which he belonged. 2 Gienapps primary ambition is to show how the green, upstart president handled the four years of crisisand how he became a great deal(prenominal) an extraordinary struggle leader.3The transformation from his humble origins as a splitter to masterful politician and leader of the acres appears to evidently defy explanation. How invariably, capital of Nebraska abides and enigma for umteen people. He is confusing, severe to understand, and by many accounts, appears to be incapable of executing the simplest of tasks. Yet, this is the wonder of capital of Nebraskas character and what makes him appealing to so many. His ambitionand particularly his hunger for public designationhad been evident from his young manhood in the early 1830s. 4 Obviously, in coiffure to develop a greater intellectual of who Abraham capital of Nebraska was, one must take a brief look into his childhood. Modern psychologists dexterity advert that capital of Nebraskas family was very dysfunctional.His baffles constant motility of the family and never seeming to be satisfied to flummox more than a simple farmer, only contributed to the strained kind between capital of Nebraska and his father. about prominent people throughout history have often cited a p arent, sibling, or other close relative or friend as having been a g reat enamor on their life. Not so for capital of Nebraska who upon losing his mother to milk sickness, went on to form a constructive and countenance bond with his stepmother. A remarkable woman, Sarah Bush capital of Nebraska exerted an enormous influence on Abrahamwho he called Mama. He later said that she had been his best whiz in this world and that no Son could love a commence more than he loved her. 5The same can non be said of Lincolns relationship with his father, which at best was superficial and distant. When Lincoln authentic word of his fathers failing health and was requested to drive away house at once, Lincoln declined to come to his fathers side. When his father passed on, Lincoln did not attend the funeral. It was a testament to his feelings toward his father. And, if Lincoln had ever harbored any ill get out or inner hatred about his father, he never let it be known.Lincoln seldom discussed his relationship with his father, let alone his family, and his ret icence was quite characteristic of the man who would someday maintain the same trait as president. I would argue that their disruptive relationship was the primary reason that throughout his life, Abraham Lincoln keenly regretted the deprivation of educational opportunities in his youth. 6Lacking the stability of a consistent family life, Lincoln was not afforded the type of educational opportunities that most of his contemporaries enjoyed. On the upside, Lincoln possessed the strong individualistic spirit that was epitomized by the frontier that served to leaven his image. Most would consider his constant reading as idleness, or simply being down right lazy. But for Lincoln, spending age in his books not only gave him time alone, which he craved, it also provided him the chance to stop and instill the all important characteristic of self-improvement.Not being one to hold grudges, Lincolns own association of getting on in life tended to sharpen rather than to blur his meritocr atic vision, though the process was complex. 7 This philosophy would get down the foundation for Lincolns scout on life and would eventually transcend his presidency. Many of Lincolns contemporaries, and modern historians, have suggested his views of self have contributed to his melancholic approach to life in general and the fatalistic view that pervades his thought process.Lincoln believed at that place was no freedom of will, that men had no free choice. 8 Perhaps this justifys Lincolns indifference toward his father and family. It may even further explain his apparent negativism and melancholy spot on lifes events. Contrary to popular belief, however, fatalismdid not always show itself negatively in Lincoln, since it somemultiplication seems to have given him the assurance he needed to bear in whatever course of action he believed had been thus ordained. 9 art object some scholars might determine Lincolns fatalist picket would be a detriment to his abilities to lead the n ation, especially during the Civil War, I would argue to the contrary I believe it forced Lincoln to become more aware, more conscious, of his own ambitions and how he might individually repair society. Lincoln could become easily frustrated and moody, I believe, because of his strong confide to surpass his fathers legacy. Not only was he a man of convictions, Lincoln would continually strive to become someone of significance. administration would become the avenue by which he could do just that. Gienapp argues Lincolns greatest ambition had always been to serve in the Senate. 10 He possessed a strong desire to serve humankind and had the part to establish himself as a politician. It was during his time in the Illinois legislature, and later, through his debates with Stephen Douglas over the extension of slavery, that Lincoln developed his political ideals that would aid him during the tumultuous times in the White House.Lincoln seemed to possess an innate sense for the understan ding of his constituency and direction of public opinion. With the invalidation of the Missouri Compromise, he sensed a impertinently moral outrage that existed not only in his home state of Illinois, but also throughout much of the northern unify States. Although Lincoln had always maintained his distaste for the institution of slavery, his moral fury now ran deeper as he shifted his primary focus from economic issues to slavery. 11 The word sense of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 would give rise to the formation of a parvenue anti-slavery troupe that would eventually become the Republican Party. When discussion over the repeal of the Missouri Compromise surfaced, Lincoln avoided any discussion in his speeches of nativism, prohibition, or even economic issuesinstead, he focused exclusively on the Kansas-Nebraska Act. 12It was at this time in his career that Lincoln was becoming a long-familiar and popular orator among the Illinois populace and was often invited to speak outs ide his congressional district. Lincoln used these opportunities to begin to formulate and promote his thoughts on slavery. Although much of his argument was based on earlier anti-slavery leaders, such as salmon P. Chase, Lincoln presented them in an unusually effective manner. 13 I believe it was during this time period that Lincoln also began to sense that he was destined to progress to something great for mankind.I do not, however, believe he had intentions of becoming president, or ending slavery outright, but there seems to have existed a motivate that ignited a unique passion within Lincoln that had not existed previously. I believe he began to formulate his most inward thoughts and externally transform them to conform to public opinion. I must point out, however, that this did not mean Lincoln simply told the public what they wanted to hear, rather he possessed a unique skill in knowing when to split up his opinions to the public and present them in a way that appealed to their common senses. Although not a charismatic speaker, Lincoln was enchanting and knew how to move a crowd.It was at this point in his career that the Declaration of Independence became a portentous component of Lincolns thought. Hailing it as the first precept of our past faith, he henceforth designated it (rather than the Constitution) as the nations founding charter. 14 This flip of direction would become instrumental in Lincolns upwards advancement through the American political process and explain the reasons why, as president, he would expand the constitutional powers of the presidency through the justification that his actions were out of urgency for the preservation of the heart and soul.Just how did Lincoln become president? For many students of history Lincoln is an enigma. By modern standards, his humble background, gangly material features (altogether homely as described by some), and irritating speech would just now present the kind of credentials necessary t o win a party nomination, yet alone, presidential election. However, in 1860, presidents were averagely selected based on their likely to govern. A candidates skills and abilities along with previous governmental experience were paramount to winning the partys nomination, and hopefully, national election.Supporters were drawn to Lincolns nomination for the Republican Party as president. Lincoln was not a front-runner by any means. Yet his national laurels and speeches on slavery, the 1858 Senatorial debates with Douglas, and pragmatic and humble nature manifest itself a grass-roots appeal among the partys delegates that would help to propel him to the presidency. Americas new mass democratic forms had put a premium on the electable, or available, candidate. A sequence of nominations in every presidential run since 1840 had shown that national political standing and proven executive ability came in a poor second to supposed electoral availability. 15There are several avenues of r esearch to follow regarding Lincolns presidency. I will conclude my paper by looking at the constitutional issues ring his decision to emancipate the slaves in 1863. One of Lincolns strengths as a war leader was that he always kept his focus on the larger questions, rather than becoming embroiled in face-to-face disputes. 16 From the onset, Lincoln made it clear that his intentions toward the Confederacy were to not intermeddle with slavery where it existed. He consistently maintained his opposition to the extension of slavery into the Hesperian Territories. Despite his claims, eleven grey states would secede from the due north and form the Confederacy.The question now before the president was what course of action is required to end the state of rebellion that existed in the southerly part of the United States. The step that Lincoln took during the early stages of the war showed an impressive and instinctive grasp of strategical essentials. He had three main objectives.He m ust nourish and have northern political supportdo all in his power to strengthen the man and wifeist elements in the upper tier of slave states go along the war from becoming an international conflict. 17 The slave question was the most difficult issue before the president. Because he had no constitutional power to interfere with slavery in the states, and because he needed to retain the support of exhibit States and Democrats, Lincolnrepeatedly defined his indemnity as replication of the Unionwhich of course meant a Union with slavery. 18The issues over freedom were complex. The Confederacy was already using slaves as laborers in their war effort. If Lincoln were to emancipate take flight slaves that reached Union lines, they too could be used for service in the Union army and navy. However, Lincoln was reluctant to adopt such a insurance policy for fear of losing the Border States. Secessionist movements already existed in doc and in the wars early months, threatened to env elop Washington, D.C. and thus separate the nations capitol from the North. But as the war became a prolonged affair, Lincoln began referring to the term indispensable means to preserve the Union. 19Determining what exactly this meant was leave to Lincolns interpretation that his actions, or means that under normal conditions would be deemed unnecessary, even extraconstitutional, might in extremis become an indispensable necessity to achieve a virtueful end 20 and as field hands and military laborers, slaves gave the Confederates formidable strength. Extraordinary mea incontestablesemancipation by contracthad become the indispensable means to preserve the national existence. 21Unfortunately for Lincoln, the issuance of the promulgation was also political. Without any major Union conquest on the battlefield, emancipation might appear to be a last-ditch effort at winning the war. By mid-1862, when Lincoln first formed the basis of the proclamation, the Union army had yet to win a decisive battle against the Rebels in the Eastern Theater. The president would appear to have no real sustenance for issuing the emancipation proclamation until a decisive victory had been won.That opportunity came in mid-September when Lees army was forced to retreat from Maryland after the battle of Antietam. Lincoln then took advantage of the Union victory and formally announced the proclamation on September 22, 1862. The emancipation proclamation would go into effect on January 1, 1863 and would only affect those slaves residing in Southern states that remained in rebellion. With a stroke of the pen, Lincoln had changed the nature of the war. Both sides mum that the war had been fundamentally transformed, that the Union was no longer fighting to bushel the old Union but to create a new one. 22Gienapp and Cawardine hold similar viewpoints in their overall assessment of Abraham Lincoln, however, their focus varies. In the eye socket of the Civil War, Gienapp concludes that Li ncoln became an accomplished and extraordinary presidenthad a sure sense of timing, knew when to stand firm and when to compromise, and displayed an absolute genius for getting individuals of divers(a) viewpoints to work together. 23 There is nothing profound about his assessment and accurately represents the humble nature of Lincoln. Cawardines conclusion transcends Lincolns cobblers last that is embraced by what Henry Ward Beecher described as a new impulse of patriotism. 24Furthermore, he bequeathed an erectd and ambitious nationalism to his successorswhosepractical policy grew from a strong sense of moral purpose and his course as president was shaped not by impulsive, self-aggrandizing action or self-righteousness, but by deep thought, breadth of vision, careful concern for consequences, and a remarkable lack of pride. 25 Even though Lincoln may remain an enigma to modern historians, one is hard pressed to fail to neck the fortitude and courage of a man so humble, so simple , so unqualified to be president, but to recognize he truly arrived at his lifes ambitionto be a humble handmaiden of his fellow man. What a powerful testament and legacy Lincoln left-hand(a) for posterity.1 Rasmussen, R. Kent. Library ledger. Vol. 131, Issue 20 (Dec., 2006), p. 181. 2 Carwardine, Richard. Lincoln A Life of Purpose and Power. (New York Knopf Publishing), 2003, p. x. 3 Gienapp, William. Abraham Lincoln and Civil War America. (New York Oxford University Press), 2002, p. xi. 4 Carwardine, p. 3.5 Gienapp, pp. 4-5.6 ibidem, p. 5.7 Carwardine, p. 19.8 Guelzo, Allen. Abraham Lincoln and the Doctrine of Necessity. The ledger of Abraham Lincoln Association. Vol. 18, No. 1 (Winter, 1997), p. 57. 9 Ibid., p. 58.10 Gienapp, p. 53.11 Ibid. p. 50.12 Ibid.13 Ibid., p. 5114 Ibid.15 Carwardine, p. 111.16 Gienapp, p. 97.17 Carwardine, p. 164.18 McPherson, James. How President Lincoln Decided to Issue the Emancipation Proclamation. The diary of opaques in high Education. No. 3 7 (Autumn, 2002), p. 108. 19 Carwardine, p. 198.20 Ibid.21 Ibid., p. 207.22 Gienapp, p. 125.23 Ibid., p. 192.24 Carwardine, p. 321.25 Ibid.BIBLIOGRAPHYThe journal articles and essays listed to a lower place provided a deeper understanding of Abraham Lincoln and were complimentary to the primary research materials for my paper. Each reading provided additional insight on Lincoln and served to enhance my dispatchd paper. Ive only cited direct quotes and ideas from individual articles while inferring generalizations from the complete works listed below.The following essays provide critical analysis of Lincolns overall approach to the political process through the examination of his personal views and attitudes to the political climate during the antebellum and Civil War years.Carwardine, Richard. Lincoln, Evangelical Religion, and American governmental Culture in the Era of the Civil War. diary of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Vol. 18, No. 1 (Winter, 1997), pp. 27-55.Rawley, Jam es. The Nationalism of Abraham Lincoln Revisited. journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Vol. 22, No. 1 (Winter, 2001), pp. 33-88.Siemers, David. Principles Pragmatism Abraham Lincolns Method of Political Analysis, presidential Studies Quarterly, Vol. 34, No. 4 (Dec. 2004), pp. 804-827.The following essays offer a concise overview of Lincolns handling of emancipation and the issue of civilized liberties for blacks and the complications associated in dealing with the abolitionist movement and retention of Border States during his land tenure in office.Berwanger, Eugene. Lincolns Constitutional Dilemma Emancipation and Black Suffrage. Papers of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Vol. 5 (1983), pp. 25-38.Gienapp, William. Abraham Lincoln and the Border States, daybook of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Vol. 13 (1992), pp. 13-46.Guelzo, Allen. Lincoln and the Abolitionists, The Wilson Quarterly (1976-), Vol. 24, No. 4 (Autumn, 2000), pp. 58-70.McPherson, James. How President Linc oln Decided to Issue the Emancipation Proclamation, The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, No. 37 (Autumn, 2002), pp. 108-109.An in-depth examination of Lincolns alternative to the law of war is masterfully presented in Burrus Carnahans Act of Justice Lincolns Emancipation Proclamation and the Law of War. (Lexington University Pressof Kentucky), 2007.Although there exists a great deal of scholarship on the question of constitutional leave and executive power, these listed below offered a succinct overview of the manner in which Lincoln answered his critics and charges of extending executive power beyond what was historically granted the president and its touch on the modern executive.Balz, Herman. Abraham Lincoln and American Constitutionalism, The Review of Politics. Vol. 50, No. 2 (Spring, 1988), pp. 169-197.Fehrenbacher, Don and Tudor, Jacob. Lincolns Wartime Leadership The First Hundred old age, Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Vol. 9 (1987), pp. 1-18.Guelzo, Al len. Abraham Lincoln and the Doctrine of Necessity, Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Vol. 18, No. 1 (Winter, 1997), pp. 57-81.Hyman, H. M. Abraham Lincoln, Legal Positivism, and Constitutional History, Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Vol. 13 (1992), pp. 1-11.Kleinerman, Benjamin. Lincolns Example Executive Power and the Survival of Constitutionalism, Perspectives on Politics. Vol. 3, No. 4 (Dec., 2005), pp. 801-816.McLaughlin, Andrew. Lincoln, the Constitution, and Democracy, International Journal of Ethics. Vol. 47, No. 1 (Oct., 1936), pp. 1-24.Underwood, James. Lincoln A Weberian Politician Meets the Constitution, Presidential Studies Quarterly. Vol. 34, No. 2 (Jun., 2004), pp. 341-365.Obviously, no study on Lincoln would be complete without the investigation into the conduct of the Civil War itself. The works listed below presented valuable insight into the challenges facing the newly elected president, theissues surrounding the restoration and Reconstructi on of the nation, the origins of the development of the Union policy of total war, and lastly, the unique perspective of the manner in which the Southern soldier fought during the war.Donald, David. The Confederate as a Fighting Man, The Journal of Southern History. Vol. 25, No. 2 (May, 1959), pp. 178-193.Kaczorowski, Robert. To array the Nation Anew Congress, Citizenship, and Civil Rights after the Civil War, The American Historical Review. Vol. 92, No. 1 (Feb., 1987), pp. 45-68.Ramsdell, Charles. Lincoln and Fort Sumter, The Journal of Southern History. Vol. 3, No. 3 (Aug., 1937), pp. 259-288.Sutherland, Daniel. Abraham Lincoln, John Pope, and the Origins of Total War, The Journal of military History, Vol. 56, No. 4 (Oct., 1992), pp. 567-586.Scholarly research on the life and political career of Abraham Lincoln is nothing new. For my paper, the primary books selected for my research are not extraordinary, but serve to compliment the volumes of works dedicated to our nations sixt eenth president. A well-known Civil War historian wrote one of my selected books while a non-American authored the second. I thought this would enhance my research that might present two varying biographical perspectives on Lincoln. I can honestly state that I was not disappointed by every work.Gienapp, William. Abraham Lincoln and Civil War. (New York Oxford University Press), 2002.Carwardine, Richard. Lincoln A Life of Purpose and Power. (New York Knopf Publishing), 2003.