Abraham Lincoln is a Success

Abraham Lincoln was born and raised in the backwoods of Kentucky. He was born on February 2, 1809. He is commonly known as "Honest Abe." Lincoln was not born into a rich family but was born into a hard working family.  Abraham's dad was a farmer and a carpenter. Abraham had almost no formal schooling—the scattered weeks of school attendance in Kentucky and Indiana amounted to less than a year. He educated himself by teaching his self to read. Even with little schooling, he became the sixteenth president of the United States. Lincoln believed slavery was morally wrong but there was an issue; it was the highest law of the land, the constitution. The fathers did not write the word “slavery” in the constitution, but did include important protecting the institution. Abolitionists knew what had to be done with slavery which was to abolish slavery. They wanted the slaves to be treated equal in society. Even though Lincoln was working with the abolitionist, he did not consider himself as one. Abraham did not believe in slavery, but he believed they should have the same political and social rights.

Lincoln was an emotional leader who expected support from troops and those around him. Lincoln wanted to free the slaves because it had a numerous advantages. First, was the moral advantage. “A proclamation would galvanize support for the war among Northern abolitionists” (Donald).  The second huge advantage was economic. The economy in the South was based on slavery. Freeing the slaves from their masters in the South would be a huge blow for the economy and the ability to wage war. Third, the freed slaves could be recruited into the Union army to help the army’s need for soldiers.

Lincoln’s Farewell Address speech was emotional because Lincoln is sending farewell goodbyes to the citizens from which he came from and knew. Lincoln begins his speech with “My Friends” which lets his audience know that they are close to his heart. . “To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything." Lincoln wanted to let his hometown know how grateful he was growing up there. The love and support he felt there was emotional for him. As he bids the citizens’ good bye, before he heads to war, he says “To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell." This speech was a big motivator to the people because they felt hope and knew that Lincoln was going to do everything in his power to help his hometown, but also help the country as a whole.

Lincoln has many qualities that inspires individuals such as honesty, withstanding adversity, and simplicity. Honesty is learned through actions and understanding. Lincoln was an honest man that inspired a country to be honest. “He lost his first bid for the Illinois General Assembly. He later served four terms in the Illinois House of Representatives." “After a series of debates in 1858 in which Lincoln opposed the expansion of slavery, he lost the U.S. Senate race to Stephen Douglas, his archrival. But Abe didn’t quit, and in 1860 he won the presidency." Even though Lincoln lost the U.S. Senate race, he still said what he believed in, and overcame losing the race to becoming the sixteenth president of the United States.

Also Lincoln was a man that could cut to the essentials. When we say cut to the essentials, Abraham was the type of man that would first listen to the group discussion, then speaks a few words that cuts straight to the heart of the matter. Lincoln was asked to say a few words at Gettysburg. “Edward Everett delivered a two-hour oration, customary in that day, which was eloquent and profound." When Lincoln spoke, he summarized the war in ten words that inspired a nation. “Spoken on Nov. 19, 1863 at the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, a few months after the Union had defeated Confederate armies at the site, the speech defined the war as a struggle not just for the Union but to end slavery."There Lincoln defined himself as a simplicity type of man that could cut right to the point and move on. Even though Lincoln could cut to the chase, he was still saying words that inspired a nation.