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Abraham Lincoln

Origin: Hodgenville, Kentucky
(February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865)

Heroic Values: Achievement, Caring, Courage, Faith, Integrity, Perseverance, Selflessness, Tolerance, Vision, Wisdom

Background

Abraham Lincoln was born on the Kentucky frontier. His mother died when he was nine, a few years after the family moved to Indiana. He was a tall young man who enjoyed wrestling and learning. He left his family at twenty-two to start his own life, in which politics soon became a focus.

In 1846, Lincoln was elected to the House of Representatives. He did not seek re-election after some controversy involving the Mexican-American War. He concentrated on his legal career which was very successful for over two decades.

In 1854 Lincoln returned to politics in reaction to a pro-slavery Act. His political actions formed the Republican Party and his skill at public speaking made him increasingly famous. At this time, the United States were clearly split between north and south with the southern states determined to continue slavery. Lincoln was elected President in 1860 with virtually no votes in the southern states.

Before he took office seven southern states broke away from the Union, refusing to aknowledge Lincoln as president. They formed the Confederate States of America. This move led to the American Civil War which began in April of 1861.

Lincoln made it his primary focus to save the Union. As fighting began he ensured the freeing of slaves to undermine the economy of the southern states. He later abolished slavery completely. As the end of the war came close, Lincoln was re-elected in a landslide. His personal involvement in the strategy of war took much of his time in office.

The war ended in 1865 and Lincoln had made two of the most famous speeches of all time; the Gettysburg Address and his second inauguration address. He promoted freedom and equality through his focus on the Declaration of Independence.

On April 14th, 1865 Lincoln became the first president to be assassinated while in office. John Wilkes Booth shot him at Ford's Theatre after being angered by Lincoln's intent to allow blacks to vote.

Sources

Wikipedia
The online encyclopedia

whitehouse.gov
The sixteenth president

The Lincoln Institute
Supporting learning about Lincoln