English Essay About Abraham Lincoln for Students
Abraham Lincoln, who was the 16th President of the United States, is considered one of the most respected people in American history.
His guidance during the nation’s toughest times, his efforts to keep the country united and end slavery, along with his heartbreaking assassination, have secured his status among the greatest leaders in America.
This essay will look into Lincoln’s life, his time as president, and the significant influence he has had on both the United States and the world.
Early Life and Education
Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, in a small log cabin in Kentucky.
His childhood was filled with tough times and sadness.
His parents, Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, were farmers and pioneers who worked hard to make a living.
When he was only nine years old, Abraham faced a huge tragedy when his mother passed away from milk sickness, which happens when cows eat poisonous plants and then their milk makes people sick. This loss deeply affected him as a child.
Even though life on the frontier was difficult, Lincoln had a strong desire to learn and better himself. He didn’t get much formal education, only about 18 months spread out over several years.
Even though he didn’t have formal schooling, he loved to read and often borrowed books from his neighbors.
He taught himself all kinds of topics, from math to law. This self-learning helped him a lot in life, making him good at thinking critically and explaining complicated ideas in a way that everyone could understand.
Early Career and Political Beginnings
When he was younger, Lincoln tried out many different jobs like being a flatboatman, postmaster, surveyor, and shopkeeper.
These jobs allowed him to meet all kinds of people and understand the everyday challenges and dreams of regular folks.
In 1834, he became a member of the Illinois state legislature as part of the Whig Party, which kicked off his journey in politics.
During this time, Lincoln also started to learn about law by reading books he borrowed.
He passed the bar exam in 1836 and moved to Springfield, Illinois, where he built a successful law practice.
Working as a lawyer helped him improve his logical thinking and public speaking skills, which would be super important for his future in politics.
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Rise to National Prominence
Lincoln really kicked off his national political career in 1846 when he got elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Even though he only served one term, he made a big impact by strongly opposing the Mexican-American War and trying to pass a bill to end slavery in the District of Columbia, although that bill didn’t go through.
In the 1850s, Lincoln’s political influence grew as he got more involved in the slavery debate.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which opened the door for slavery to spread into new areas, made him even more determined to fight against it.
In 1858, he gave a famous speech at the Illinois Republican State Convention called the “House Divided” speech.
In it, he expressed his belief that the country couldn’t survive if it was split between slave and free states.
The Lincoln-Douglas debates in 1858 were a set of seven discussions between Abraham Lincoln and Senator Stephen A.
Douglas, which helped make Lincoln more well-known across the country.
Even though Lincoln didn’t win the Senate election against Douglas, these debates highlighted his great speaking abilities and his strong beliefs against the spread of slavery, paving the way for his campaign for president in 1860.
The Presidency and the Civil War
Lincoln became President in 1860, and this event triggered the Southern states to break away and start the Civil War.
Right from the beginning, Lincoln had the huge job of keeping the country together while dealing with the tricky issues surrounding slavery.
In the early days of the war, the Union faced many military losses and political problems.
Lincoln showed strong leadership during this tough time by staying focused on keeping the Union intact, being open to learning new military strategies, and skillfully managing a mix of supporters and critics.
One of the most important things Lincoln did as President was to issue the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863.
This order declared that slaves in the states that were rebelling were free, changing the war’s purpose from just saving the Union to fighting for freedom for all people.
The proclamation didn’t instantly free every slave, but it was an important move towards ending slavery in the United States for good.
Lincoln’s role during the Civil War was more than just military and political decisions.
His powerful speeches, like the Gettysburg Address in 1863 and his Second Inaugural Address in 1865, gave the Union a clear moral direction and a strong sense of purpose.
Today, these speeches are seen as some of the best in American history, highlighting ideas like human equality, democracy, and the importance of staying united as a nation.
As the war went on, Lincoln dealt with many difficulties, such as facing criticism for his decisions, opposition from people in his own party, and the personal loss of his son Willie in 1862.
Even with all these challenges, he stayed strong and kind-hearted, often showing mercy to soldiers who deserted and being open to making peace with the South.
Legacy and Assassination
1. The Civil War came to an end on April 9, 1865, when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court House.
President Lincoln had a plan for rebuilding the country that focused on bringing people together instead of punishing those who fought against the Union.
Sadly, just five days later, on April 14, 1865, Lincoln was killed by John Wilkes Booth, which put a stop to his plans.
His assassination left the nation and the world in shock. People were heartbroken, and many gathered along the route of his funeral train as it traveled from Washington, D.C., to Springfield, Illinois.
Because of his death, Lincoln became a symbol of sacrifice, and his life and presidency were remembered in a legendary way.
Lincoln’s presidency had a huge effect on American history that is really important to recognize.
He helped keep the country together during its toughest times and played a key role in ending slavery with the 13th Amendment.
During the war, he changed how people viewed the powers of the president, making the federal government and the presidency more powerful.
Lincoln’s impact goes way beyond just his time in office. His dedication to democracy, fairness, and bringing the nation together has motivated many Americans and people around the globe for years.
Civil rights leaders, politicians, and those fighting for social change often refer to his words and ideas as they work towards justice and equality.
Lincoln’s character has made a big impact on how Americans think about themselves. His journey from a simple background to becoming president represents the American Dream perfectly.
His funny and humble nature, along with his ability to forgive those who opposed him, shows that he was a deep and relatable person, even more than 150 years after he passed away.
Both historians and everyday people often consider Lincoln one of the best U.S. Presidents. You can find his face on the penny and the five-dollar bill, and his memorial in Washington, D.C., is one of the most popular places to visit in the country.
The Lincoln Memorial has hosted many important moments in American history, like Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, highlighting how Lincoln’s legacy continues to be important in the fight for civil rights and equality.
Contemporary Relevance and Debates
Lincoln is definitely seen as one of America’s great heroes, but today, people are talking more deeply about what his legacy really means.
Historians are still discussing different parts of his presidency, like what he thought about race and equality, whether some of his actions during the war were constitutional, and how well he led the country.
Some people believe that Lincoln cared more about keeping the country together than about ending slavery, so they think he doesn’t deserve all the praise he gets for freeing the slaves.
On the other hand, some argue that while his ideas about race were advanced for his time, they don’t quite match up with what we consider equal today.
Even with all the discussions around it, people still recognize Lincoln’s important role in American democracy and human rights.
His willingness to change his views, especially about race and equality, shows what true moral leadership looks like and how both individuals and society can grow and improve.
Conclusion
Abraham Lincoln’s life and time as president are super important in American history.
He started out with very little on the frontier and then led the country through its toughest times.
His journey shows a lot of the ups and downs of what it means to be American.
By keeping the country together, helping to end slavery, and promoting democratic values, Lincoln made a huge impact on the U.S. and the world.
His influence is still felt today when we talk about democracy, equality, and coming together as a nation.
As America faces new challenges to these ideas, Lincoln’s words and actions still inspire us and help us think about how to solve tough problems in society.
Ultimately, Abraham Lincoln is important not just because of what he did in history, but also because his character and values are still meaningful today.
His life shows us how important education, determination, and doing the right thing are, especially when times get tough.
As long as countries deal with issues like unity, equality, and freedom, Lincoln’s legacy will continue to inspire us on our path to creating a better society.
