Abraham Lincoln's Beliefs

Abraham Lincoln is arguably one of the most interesting presidents in the history of the United States. Any research done on Lincoln will show, whether you agree or disagree with his philosophies, that he was, and still is, a fascinating historical figure. There have been numerous discussions regarding Lincoln before the Civil War, during the war as Commander In Chief, or his views on slavery and racial equality; furthermore, vast debates on his views, strategies, and solutions regarding events that helped shape our nation. Abraham Lincoln is such an interesting person that discussions and debates will lead to more questions open to more discussion and debate. What was Lincoln’s view on

Abraham Lincoln is by far our most revered president in the history of the United States. He had a strong moral vision of where his country must go to preserve and enlarge the rights of all her people, but he was also a good man with a strong sense of character and a great discipline in the art of law; and he sought to continue the great and mighty legacy of the Constitution. He believed that the Founding Fathers had drawn up the Constitution without the mention of slavery because they felt that it would later die of a natural death. He would soon learn that that would not be the case.

The freedom of America’s slaves has always been accredited to Abraham Lincoln, but he was not always the complete abolitionist as he is commonly portrayed. The “house divided”, as Lincoln depicts it in his famous ‘House Divided’ speech, of the United States during the Civil War, was not always lead towards the freedom of all mankind, and there is sufficient evidence to support this claim. The sixteenth president is most commonly remembered for inducing the courage and determination to end the Civil War, with the Emancipation Proclamation, although when it more closely studied he did not cross the great divide of enslavement vs. freedom with the submittal of that fabled document. When following the many famous quotes and speeches of Lincoln’s life, it appears that he was against all slavery and bondage. At the same time, when more closely examined, the quotes and speeches actually leaned towards his lack of strong opinion on the outcome of slavery. Lincoln is perceived as the most famous revolutionary of American history, but he does not live up to his legacy of being the eradicator of forced servitude.

A more recent myth that has developed is the theory that Abraham Lincoln was homosexual. This myth came to light in 1999 when Larry Kramer, the founding member of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, made the statement that Lincoln was homosexual and backed up his statement with diary excerpts from Lincoln’s bunkmate’s Diary. The excerpts read: He often kisses me when I tease him, often to shut me up… He would grab me in his long arms and hug and hug… our Abe is like a school girl” (Steers 126). Kramer also made a claim stating that John Wilkes Booth may have killed Lincoln because Booth was “virulently homophobic” (Steers 125). The theory that Lincoln was gay was taken even further when Dr. C.A. Tripp, Ph.D. released his book titled The Intimate

In Lincoln’s “Second Inaugural Address”, he promotes his credibility as a way to cajole the audience. Beginning his address, he states “Fellow-Countrymen” (ln 1) invoking the feeling that he is also of their status; however, he contradicts himself by availing, “I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all” (ln 13), he exerts himself as a higher being by saying, “I trust” because if he, the President of the United States of America, believes that the country is making progress because of this war, then the audience will then too assume that the country is making progress with this war. In the second paragraph, he once again includes himself in the audience by addressing his conjectures on the war. “All dreaded it, all sought to avert it” (ln 18-19). By utilizing “all”, Lincoln enhances his point of view in which he makes the audience believe he has the same power as the general population and can do nothing more than what is currently being done. In the third paragraph, he applies biblical relations to improve his credibility in the eyes of the audience, “Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invoked His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any man should dare ask a just God’s assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men’s faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged.” (ln 42-48), he adds on by saying, “‘the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.’” (ln 68-69). This appeals to both sides of the audience. The South relies heavily on their beliefs, faith, and religion and the North

"There are men who want to take my life. And I have no doubt they will do it. . . If it is to be done, it is impossible to prevent it." This quote can closely be related to Abraham Lincoln and his assassination. This shows that President Lincoln was committed to his beliefs and traditions. When Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, it was because his killer was an anti-abolitionist, and he did not agree with Lincoln’s ways. He was a strong and intellectual way and was often frowned upon for his thinking. He died for what he believed in and he did not want it any other way.

Before the Civil War Abraham Lincoln was a free-soiler. He didn’t like the idea of slavery, and did not want it to expand into western territories. However, he was not a total abolitionist, as his main objective was to preserve the Union. In a letter

In his early legislative career, Lincoln was a Whig and believed in their ideals and political stance. But, being against slavery, he left that party because they were splitting into two separate areas as some believed in slavery, and some did not.

The freedom of America’s slaves has always been accredited to Abraham Lincoln, but he was not always the complete abolitionist as he is commonly portrayed. The “house divided”, as Lincoln depicts it in his famous ‘House Divided’ speech, of the United States during the Civil War, was not always lead towards the freedom of all mankind, and there is sufficient evidence to support this claim. The sixteenth president is most commonly remembered for inducing the courage and determination to end the Civil War, with the Emancipation Proclamation, although when it more closely studied he did not cross the great divide of enslavement vs. freedom with the submittal of that fabled document. When following the many famous quotes and speeches of Lincoln’s life, it appears that he was against all slavery and bondage. Although when they are more closely examined, the quotes and speeches actually leaned towards his lack of strong opinion on the outcome of slavery. Lincoln is perceived as the most famous revolutionary of American history, but he does not live up to his legacy of being the eradicator of forced servitude.

Abraham Lincoln was born to a poor farming family and worked on his father’s farm for most of his young life. Going to school was not an option for Abraham but this did not stop him. At a very young age, Abraham began reading and did not stop. Abraham would continue to read the bible, Shakespeare and many other pieces of literature popular in that time. I believe that the most beneficial teachings Abraham would endure was that of grammar. Grammar taught in those days included basic punctuation all the way to Rhetoric. Rhetorical devices such as repetition, asyndeton and the use of metaphors were all taught thoroughly. One can clearly see these devices in use in nearly every writing and speech produced by Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1820 in a small log cabin in Kentucky. He was always a very logical politically driven young man. As stated in America’s History Volume 1: To 1877 Lincoln’s political ambition was compared to “a little engine that knew no rest” (437). He practiced law growing up and became a lawyer after he served a two year term in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1847 to 1849. Lincoln spent much of his life trying to abolish slavery. He officially declared that he was against it in his

Abraham Lincoln is by far our most revered president in the history of the United States. He had a strong moral vision of where his country must go to preserve and enlarge the rights of all her people, but he was also a good man with a strong sense of character and a great discipline in the art of law; and he sought to continue the great and mighty legacy of the Constitution. He believed that the Founding Fathers had drawn up the Constitution without the mention of slavery because they felt that it would later die of a natural death. He would soon learn that that would not be the case.

2. Given this outstanding success, why did the internationalization thrust of the late 1980s and early 1990s fail?

150). Clearly, Lincoln was an undecided politician who was merely looking for votes. He never had any intention of ending slavery, but was rather looking for his own personal gains, and by appealing to both ideologies; he gained the necessary support to elect his president. From the beginning of his presidency, at Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address, it is clear to see he was not the “Great Emancipator,” but a man trying to maintain the unity of the nation.

Abraham Lincoln was born in a small town in Hodgenville, Kentucky in February 12th 1809. Brought up by his mother and father Thomas and Nancy Lincoln, Abraham was an aspiring young man with a thirst of knowledge, learning about everything he could. He grew up with a brother and a sister but sadly they both passed away. His sister Sarah at the age of 21, and his brother Thomas died 3 days after birth. He only had a short time with his mother as she died in 1818 from drinking bad milk, but when his father remarried Abraham and his mother formed a close bond between them and he loved his mother very much because of the way she encouraged him to learn. His father was not so supportive. His father always had him working on the farm and this upsetted