The Life and Legacy of Abraham Lincoln

Early Life and Education

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky. His parents, Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, were poor farmers. Despite his humble beginnings, Lincoln was a self-taught man who loved to read. He attended school for only a few years, but he continued to educate himself throughout his life.

Lincoln's early life was marked by hardship. His mother died when he was 9 years old, and his father remarried a woman named Sarah Bush Johnston. Lincoln had a difficult relationship with his stepmother, and he left home at the age of 21. He worked as a store clerk, a surveyor, and a lawyer before entering politics.

Political Career

Lincoln's political career began in 1834, when he was elected to the Illinois legislature. He served in the legislature for eight years, and he quickly became known for his intelligence and his opposition to slavery. In 1846, Lincoln was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served one term in the House, and he used his time there to speak out against the expansion of slavery.

In 1860, Lincoln was elected president of the United States. He was the first Republican president, and his election was a major turning point in the history of the country. The South saw Lincoln's election as a threat to its way of life, and seven states seceded from the Union before Lincoln even took office.

The Civil War

The Civil War began in 1861, and it lasted for four years. Lincoln was determined to preserve the Union, and he led the country through the war with great determination. He issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which freed all slaves in the Confederate states. The war ended in 1865 with the Union victory.

Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, just five days after the Confederate surrender. His death was a national tragedy, and he is still mourned today as one of the greatest presidents in American history.

Legacy

Lincoln's legacy is one of freedom, equality, and justice. He is remembered as the president who preserved the Union, ended slavery, and led the country through the Civil War. Lincoln's Gettysburg Address is one of the most famous speeches in American history, and his words continue to inspire people today.

Lincoln was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a man of great compassion and determination, but he could also be ruthless and unforgiving. His legacy is still debated today, but there is no doubt that he was one of the most important figures in American history.