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Abraham Lincoln's Role In American History

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Abraham Lincoln is perceived as one of the most distinguished presidents in American History. Through his great leadership, he was able to guide America through a time marked by social unrest and eventual civil war. Before his inauguration, the Union was dissolving, so Lincoln chose to preserve this country and the freedom it guarantees by waging war with the rebellious South. These efforts, along with his relentless drive toward creating a slave-free country, clearly lead the United States towards being what it is today. The conditions that enabled Abraham Lincoln to both become and be recognized as a great president were that he had been reared as a common, humble and honest person, was of high intelligence, had a strong work ethic, and, …show more content…

In 1816, his family moved to Southern Indiana. When Lincoln was only ten years old, his mother, Nancy Lincoln, passed away. After his mother’s passing, Lincoln’s father, Thomas, married Sarah Bush Johnston. Lincoln grew up in a poor family. Though he attended grammar school a few times, he was mostly self-taught. He had two siblings, an older sister named Sarah, and a younger brother named Thomas, who died in his infancy. By this time in his life, Lincoln had already learned the meaning of hard work, as he had labored on his father’s farm for many years. Additionally, he knew the anguish that comes from losing family members. The difficulties he had in his early life surly helped prepare him for the hardships he would face in his …show more content…

He then went to the theater to “guard” Lincoln. After the Lincolns and their guests arrived and were seated, Parker took a seat near the State Box. From this spot he could not see the play, so he soon left his post to find a better seat. At the intermission of the show, Parker invited Lincoln’s coachman to join him for a drink at that saloon near Ford’s theatre. Whether Parker returned to guard Lincoln at the theater is unknown. Because of his incompetence, Booth was able to sneak into the president’s booth, and shoot him from point-blank range. John Wilkes Booth could have been stopped only if the guard had not left his post. Though Lincoln’s death could have been prevented, one wonders how this country would be different if he was not assassinated. Shortly after Lincoln’s death, the 13th amendment was passed. This amendment ended slavery. If Lincoln had not been killed, would this amendment have been passed? Would slavery and segregation have ended so immediately if he had remained president, or did his passing help cause a more immediate end to the great problems we once faced as a country? Did John Wilkes Booth’s actions cause slavery to end

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