ACE Class Report #89 : Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.
Begin: 1/6/2025
Finish: 3/24/2025
Title: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War
Instructor: Henry Ku
Why I choose to take this class:
To learn about president Abraham Lincoln and the events that led to the civil war. How the civil war helped unite the country and abolish slavery.
What I learned from this class:
Early Life of Abraham Lincoln:
Lincoln was born on Feb. 12, 1809 in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. When he could spared from chores, he went to a log schoolhouse, where he learned reading, writing and arithmetic. He grew from a boy of 7 to a man of 21 inn the wild Indiana frontier. Lincoln’s formal schooling total less than a year. He loves to read and would walk great distance for a book. He never attended church, yet he became a man of deep religious feeling. He came to know the bible which he often turned to for comfort and guidance. Another book that impressed Lincoln -“Life of Washington”. He remembered all the accounts of the battle fields and struggle for liberty of the country. Abraham reached a height of 6 feet 4 inches before he was 20. Even as a boy, Lincoln showed ability as a speaker, He often amused himself and others by imitating some preachers or politician who had spoken in the area. Lincoln’s size and strength had no trouble finding hard work. He would cut wood, plow fields, cut husk corn and thresh wheat with a flail. He worked for neighbors when he was free.
New Salem Years:
The Lincoln moved to New Salem, Illinois in 1830. Later his family moved to Coles county. Living on his own, the village philosopher introduced him to writings of Shakespeare and the bible. He earned little and slept in a room at the rear of the store. Lincoln volunteered for the Black Hawk war, his men nominated him as captain. He announced his candidacy for the state legislature but lost. In 1834 Lincoln ran for the Legislature, he won as a Whip (People who resented British Control and favored Independence). He served 4 successful 2 years terms and met democratic Legislature Stephen A Douglas. His skill in party management enabled him to become the Whig floor leader while in legislature, Lincoln made his first statement on Slavery in 1837.
Lincoln The Lawyer:
In 1834 during Lincoln campaign in the legislature, John Stuart an attorney urged him to study law. He borrowed books form Stuart and would walk 20 miles to Springfield for books. On Sept. 9, 1836 Lincoln received his license to practice law. He became a junior partner in the law firm of Stuart and Lincoln. In 1841 he became a junior partner of Stephan Logan. Lincoln tried his first case in the county court in Sangamon county. He practiced in the Illinois Federal Courts and tried his cases in the State Supreme court. Lincoln married Mary Todd on Nov. 4, 1842. They had 4 sons: Robert Todd was the oldest, Edward Baker died 4 years later, William Wallace and fourth son Thomas died in the White house. The family lived comfortably an Lincoln became a successful lawyer. Lincoln could argue a case strongly. He prepared his cases thoroughly and was unfailing honest.
National Politics:
Lincoln took his seat in Congress on Dec. 6, 1847. He failed to make a reputation during his single term in Congress. He returned to Springfield to practice law. Lincoln’s reputation grew steadily in 1850. He was one of the leading lawyer in Illinois. In 1854, a sudden change in National Policy on Slavery brought Lincoln back into the center of political activity in Illinois. The Missouri Compromise of 1820 had prohibited slavery in the new territories. In 1854 Senator introduce a bill to organize the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. The bill provided the settlers of all new territories should decide for themselves whether they wanted slavery. The new policy gave new life to slavery and it outraged him. Lincoln resolved to do what he could to reverse the Kansas-Nebraska Act. In 1855 the Republican named Lincoln ran against Douglas for the US Senate, he lost the race to Douglas. In the election of 1860 – Lincoln was the third most popular Republican candidate. But managed to secure the Republican nominee for president. There was a spit in the Democratic party between senator Douglas and Breckinridge. Lincoln won the 180 electoral votes but did not win the popular vote. All his electoral votes came from the North.
Lincoln Administration (1861-1865):
On Dec. 20, 1860 – South Carolina seceded. By the time Lincoln became president, 6 other states had withdrawn from the union. Four more states followed later and organized themselves into the Confederates States of America. On March 4, 1861 – Lincoln became the 16th president of the United States. As the Southern states seceded, they seized most of the Federal Forts within their boundaries. The attack on Fort Sumter mark the start of the Civil War. Lincoln believed that United States represent an experiment in people’s ability to govern themselves. If it failed, monarchs, dictators and their supporters could say that people are not capable of ruling themselves and that someone must rule them. Two days after Fort Sumter fell, Lincoln called for 75,000 men for army. They met the Confederate at the Potomac River in Richmond, Virginia. The confederate forces defeated the union troop. Mrs. Lincoln’s life in the White House was a tragic disappointment; her youngest brother, three half brothers and husbands of two half sisters were serving in the Confederates army. The union lost several battles and Lincoln changed Generals until he settles on Ulysses S Grant. The Battle of Antietam on Sept. 17, 1862 triggered the Emancipation Proclamation – it declared all slaves in states that remained in rebellion on Jan. 1, 1863 could be free. Whenever Union troops took control of Southern territory they liberated slaves in their path. It paved the way for the Thirteenth Amendment adopted in 1865, which ended Slavery in all parts of the US. In 1863 Union forces defeated Confederate under Lee at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania where 45,000 lives were lost, and Vicksburg, Mississippi. On Nov. 19,1863 ceremonies were held to dedicate a soldier cemetery of the Gettysburg battle ground. Lincoln spoke for two minutes – The Gettysburg address. The war went on. When Lincoln took oath of office the second time on March 4, 1865, in his address: he concentrated on reuniting the nation, the civil war was fought to abolish slavery. He closed with a moving plea for “Malice towards none” and “Charity for all”, “North and South Alike”. On April 9, 1865 Lee surrendered to Grant in Virginia. The civil war cost 525,000 lives. Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865. He was buried at the Oakridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois. Several people were believed to have been involved with Booth in both Lincoln’s assassination and plot to kill other government officials. All eight defendants were hanged on July 7, 1865, 2 received life sentence and one received six years sentence.
How will this class contribute to my success upon release.
Lessons on US History helps me understand about the policies and politics in America. It improves my analytical and critical thinking skills. These knowledge will be shared with communities when I volunteer my services.
