Abraham Lincoln: Civil War President Essay

I am of rail anti-sla genuinely. If slave cargo holding is non wrong, nonhing is wrong. Abraham capital of NebraskaWhat seems to be very superficial approximately the temperament and character of Abraham capital of Nebraska proves to be kinda profound afterwards an abundant investigation of his keep. Mystifying his contemporaries and late historians alike, the numerous volumes of scholarly look over the past 150 years is shoot for of the challenges incidental to unraveling the complexities of the patch many call to as the great emancipator. Richard Carwadines capital of Nebraska A Life of point and author and W unhingediam Gienapps Abraham capital of Nebraska and elegant war America present excellent biographic research that contrast and compliment their subject and describe the extenuating circumstances that besides adds to capital of Nebraskas complexity. Carwadines research covers familiar ground still adapts itself by by counsellinging decisi scarce on school principals about capital of Nebraskas semipolitical dreaming and ag intercepta and his exercise of proponent. get much(prenominal) The stages of consumer buying decision puzzle out essayThe American normal is flying to judge their chairs while assessing their achievements decisively and without reserve. Carwadine argues that capital of Nebraskas great achievement was to set ambitious only when realizable governmental goals to fathom the thinking of ordinary citizens and to area out to them with uncommon say-so and to perfect his impressive aptitudes as a handler of the frequently unstable and fractious elements that make up the political graphic symbolies to which he belonged. 2 Gienapps elementary ambition is to show how the green, novel chair handled the four years of crisisand how he became such an extraordinary war leader.3The transmutation from his down in the mouth origins as a rail-splitter to masterful politician and leader of the cou ntry fronts to explicitly defy expla terra firma. However, capital of Nebraska corpse and enigma for many the great unwashed. He is confusing, effortful to under(a) jut out, and by many accounts, appears to be unequal to(p) of executing the childlyst of tasks. in time, this is the wonder of capital of Nebraskas character and what makes him appealing to so many. His ambitionand particularly his hunger for public lighthad been evident from his young manhood in the earliest 1830s. 4 Obviously, in order to adopt a greater understanding of who Abraham capital of Nebraska was, maven must take a brief look into his childhood. Modern psychologists baron suggest that capital of Nebraskas family was very dysfunctional.His fathers constant move of the family and never seeming to be live up to to be get down more than a simple farmer, only contri merelyed to the strained human race surrounded by capital of Nebraska and his father. Most prominent people byout history engende r often cited a parent, sibling, or other close relative or friend as having been a great influence on their life. not so for capital of Nebraska who upon losing his father to milk sickness, went on to form a constructive and enduring bond with his stepmother. A remarkable woman, Sarah Bush capital of Nebraska exerted an extensive influence on Abrahamwho he called Mama. He later s caution that she had been his best adept in this world and that no countersign could love a Mother more than he loved her. 5The same cannot be said of capital of Nebraskas relationship with his father, which at best was superficial and distant. When capital of Nebraska received word of his fathers failing health and was requested to apply home at once, capital of Nebraska declined to come to his fathers side. When his father passed on, capital of Nebraska did not attend the funeral. It was a volition to his feelings toward his father. And, if capital of Nebraska had ever harbored any ill will or inne r hate about his father, he never allow it be known.capital of Nebraska seldom discussed his relationship with his father, let alone his family, and his reticence was quite characteristic of the man who would someday keep back the same trait as president. I would argue that their troubled relationship was the primary winding reason that throughout his life, Abraham capital of Nebraska keenly regretted the want of educational opportunities in his youth. 6 lacking(p) the st tycoon of a consistent family life, capital of Nebraska was not afforded the type of educational opportunities that more or less of his contemporaries enjoyed. On the upside, Lincoln possess the lovesome individualistic spirit that was epitomized by the fron stratum that served to enhance his image. Most would lead his constant drill as idleness, or simply being down set lazy. But for Lincoln, spending clip in his books not only gave him time alone, which he craved, it also provided him the opportunity to learn and instruct the all important characteristic of self-improvement. zero(prenominal) being one to hold grudges, Lincolns own experience of acquire on in life tended to indicate rather than to blur his meritocratic vision, though the process was complex. 7 This philosophy would effect the design for Lincolns outlook on life and would reddentually transcend his brass. many an(prenominal) of Lincolns contemporaries, and modern historians, have suggested his views of self have contri thated to his melancholic come along to life in general and the predestinarianic view that pervades his thought process.Lincoln countd on that point was no freedom of will, that men had no free choice. 8 Perhaps this explains Lincolns indifference toward his father and family. It may even further explain his apparent electronegativity and melancholy perspective on lifes events. Contrary to universal belief, however, fatalismdid not constantly show itself negatively in Lincoln, since it sometimes seems to have given him the assurance he unavoidable to persist in whatever course of action he believed had been thus ordained. 9While some scholars ability de marginine Lincolns fatalist outlook would be a loss to his abilities to lead the nation, especially during the civic War, I would argue to the contrary I believe it obligate Lincoln to lead more aware, more conscious, of his own ambitions and how he efficacy individually impact society. Lincoln could bend easily frustrated and moody, I believe, because of his knock-down(prenominal) desire to surpass his fathers legacy. no only was he a man of convictions, Lincoln would continually tense to establish someone of significance.Politics would become the avenue by which he could do just that. Gienapp argues Lincolns superior ambition had al expressive styles been to serve in the Senate. 10 He possessed a strong desire to serve humankind and had the chance 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 perpetuation of slavery, that Lincoln developed his political ideals that would aid him during the tumultuous times in the flannel House.Lincoln seemed to possess an innate aesthesis for the understanding of his constituency and direction of public opinion. With the a get hold of the Missouri agree, he reekd a new moralistic outrage that existed not only in his home evince of Illinois, but also throughout much of the northern United States. Although Lincoln had always chief(prenominal)tained his distaste for the institution of slavery, his moral warmheartedness now ran deeper as he shifted his primary focus from economic issues to slavery. 11 The credence of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 would give rise to the formation of a new anti-slavery fellowship that would eventually become the Republican party. When parole over the repeal of the Missouri Compromise surfaced, Lin coln avoided any discussion in his speeches of nativism, prohibition, or even economic issuesinstead, he foc utilize exclusively on the Kansas-Nebraska Act. 12It was at this time in his race that Lincoln was bonnie a well-known and popular orator among the Illinois populace and was often invited to let out outside his congressional district. Lincoln use these opportunities to begin to formulate and promote his thoughts on slavery. Although much of his argument was establish on earlier anti-slavery leaders, such as salmon P. Chase, Lincoln presented them in an unusually legal fashion. 13 I believe it was during this time finis that Lincoln also began to sense that he was destined to accomplish something great for mankind.I do not, however, believe he had intentions of fitting president, or ending slavery outright, but there seems to have existed a cancel that ignited a unique passion within Lincoln that had not existed previously. I believe he began to formulate his to the highest degree inward thoughts and outwardly transform them to accommodate 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 reveal 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 of import component of Lincolns thought. Hailing it as the first precept of our ancient faith, he henceforth designated it (rather than the Constitution) as the nations founding charter. 14 This change of direction would become instrumental in Lincolns upward 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 in dispensableness for the preservation of the union.Just how did Lincoln become president? For many students of history Lincoln is an enigma. By modern standards, his humble background, rangy physical features (altogether homely as set forth by some), and irritating speech would but present the kind of credentials prerequisite to win a political party nomination, stock-still alone, presidential election. However, in 1860, presidents were normally selected based on their potential to govern. A medical prognosiss skills and abilities along with previous governmental experience were paramount to fetching 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 kernel. Yet his national notoriety 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 edit a premium on the electable, or available, candidate. A sequence of nominations in all(prenominal) presidential race since 1840 had shown that national political standing and proven decision maker ability came in a poor instant to supposed electoral availability. 15There are several avenues of research to follow regarding Lincolns presidency. I will think my paper by looking at the constitutional issues surrounding his decision to liberate 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 turn embroiled in personal disputes. 16 From the onset, Lincoln made it clear that his intentions toward the conspiracy were to not step in with slavery where it existed. He systematically maintained his opposition to the extension of slavery into the Western Territories. Despite his claims, eleven Confederate nations woul d secede from the Union 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 Southern part of the United States. The steps that Lincoln took during the early stages of the war showed an impressive and instinctive earn of strategic essentials. He had three main objectives.He must nourish and go for northern political supportdo all in his power to change the Unionist elements in the upper tier of slave statesprevent the war from becoming an international conflict. 17 The slave question was the roughly 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 recoil States and Democrats, Lincolnrepeatedly defined his policy as restoration of the Unionwhich of course meant a Union with slavery. 18The issues over emancipation 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 policy for fear of losing the Border States. Secessionist trys already existed in Maryland and in the wars early months, jeopardize to envelop Washington, D.C. and thus separate the nations capitol from the no.th. But as the war became a prolonged affair, Lincoln began referring to the term indispensable means to preserve the Union. 19 find out what exactly this meant was unexpended to Lincolns interpretation that his actions, or means that under normal conditions would be deemed unnecessary, even extraconstitutional, major(ip) power in extremis become an indispensable urgency to achieve a lawful end 20 and as field hands and force laborers, slaves gave the Confederates formidable strength. Extraordinary measuresemancipation by declarationhad become the indis pensable means to preserve the national existence. 21Unfortunately for Lincoln, the emergence of the contract was also political. Without any major Union victory on the skirmishfield, emancipation business leader appear to be a last-ditch effort at winning the war. By mid-1862, when Lincoln first make the basis of the proclamation, the Union army had notwithstanding to win a decisive meshing against the Rebels in the Eastern Theater. The president would appear to have no real support 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, L incoln had changed the nature of the war. Both sides understood that the war had been basically transformed, that the Union was no longer contend to restore the old Union but to create a new one. 22Gienapp and Cawardine hold similar viewpoints in their boilersuit sound judgment of Abraham Lincoln, however, their focus varies. In the scope of the Civil War, Gienapp concludes that Lincoln 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 diverse viewpoints to work together. 23 There is postcode profound about his assessment and accurately represents the humble nature of Lincoln. Cawardines closing curtain transcends Lincolns death that is embraced by what Henry Ward Beecher described as a new impulse of patriotism. 24Furthermore, he bequeathed an enhanced and ambitious nationalism to his successorswhose operable policy grew from a strong sense o f 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, minute 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 fleck the fortitude and courage of a man so humble, so simple, so incompetent to be president, but to recognize he truly arrived at his lifes ambitionto be a humble servant of his fellow man. What a herculean testament and legacy Lincoln left for posterity.1 Rasmussen, R. Kent. Library diary. Vol. 131, Issue 20 (Dec., 2006), p. 181. 2 Carwardine, Richard. Lincoln A Life of Purpose and index. (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 Ibid., p. 5.7 Carwardine, p. 19.8 Guelzo, Allen. Abraham Lincoln and the school of t hought of Necessity. The ledger of Abraham Lincoln Association. Vol. 18, none 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 trenchant to Issue the Emancipation annunciation. The journal of Blacks in Higher Education. no 37 (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 downstairs provided a deeper understanding of Abraham Lincoln and were panegyric to the primary research materials for my paper. Each reading provided additional insight on Lincoln and served to enhance my get alongd paper. Ive only cited direct quotes and ideas from individual articles while inferring generalizations from the complete works listed to a lower place.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 mood during the antebellum and Civil War years.Carwardine, Richard. Lincoln, evangelical Religion, and American Political Culture in the Era of the Civil War. daybook of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Vol. 18, No. 1 (Winter, 1997), pp. 27-55.Rawley, James. The nationalism of Abraham Lincoln Revisited. daybook 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 domiciliate a concise overview of Lincolns handling of emancipation and the issue of civil liberties for blacks and the complications associated in dealing with the abolitionist movement and retention of Border States during his tenure in office.Berwanger, Eugene. Lincolns Constitutional pr edicament Emancipation and Black Suffrage. Papers of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Vol. 5 (1983), pp. 25-38.Gienapp, William. Abraham Lincoln and the Border States, ledger 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 Lincoln Decided to Issue the Emancipation announcement, 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 evaluator 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 authority and executive power, these listed below offered a succinct overview of the manner in which Lincoln answered his critics and charges of extending execut ive power beyond what was historically granted the president and its impact 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 lead The First Hundred Days, Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association. Vol. 9 (1987), pp. 1-18.Guelzo, Allen. Abraham Lincoln and the article of faith 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 report, 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. Linco ln 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 grapple of the Civil War itself. The works listed below presented valuable insight into the challenges facing the new elected president, theissues surrounding the restoration and reconstructive memory of the nation, the origins of the development of the Union policy of constitutional 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 attempt the Nation Anew Congress, Citizenship, and Civil Rights after the Civil War, The American diachronic Review. Vol. 92, No. 1 (Feb., 1987), pp. 45-68.Ramsdell, Charles. Lincoln and foregather 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. donnish 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 use to our nations sixteenth 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 biographic perspectives on Lincoln. I can honestly state that I was not foil by either 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.