Abraham Lincoln: The Great Emancipator

A Man of Humble Beginnings

Abraham Lincoln was born into a poor family in a log cabin in Kentucky in 1809. As a child, he had little formal education, but he was a voracious reader and taught himself law.

In 1834, Lincoln moved to Illinois, where he began his political career. He served in the Illinois legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives before being elected president in 1860.

The Civil War

Lincoln's presidency was dominated by the Civil War (1861-1865). The war was fought between the Union (the Northern states) and the Confederacy (the Southern states) over the issue of slavery.

Lincoln was a strong supporter of the Union and believed that slavery was wrong. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which freed all slaves in the Confederate states.

The Gettysburg Address

In 1863, Lincoln delivered one of the most famous speeches in American history at the dedication of the Gettysburg battlefield.

The speech was only 272 words long, but it eloquently summed up the meaning of the Civil War and the ideals of the American people.

Lincoln's Legacy

Abraham Lincoln is considered one of the greatest presidents in American history. He is remembered for his leadership during the Civil War and for his unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom.

Lincoln was assassinated in 1865 by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer. However, his legacy continues to inspire Americans today.