Abraham Lincoln

Warm UpNo Journal. Just LISTEN to one of Lincolns most famous speeches.This is Mr. Johnsons single favorite piece of Americana and a great way to begin a talk about our 16th President.We will be covering this speech in depth later

Abraham LincolnAn Overview of the Man who Held the Union TogetherOBJECTIVESSWBAT (Students will be able to):Recall important events in Lincolns lifeDiscuss Lincolns complicated nature before the war.Before we begin!Get a sheet of lined paper (your own or we have some for you). Put your NAME, DATE, and PERIOD on top. Take notes as we go.PLEASE DONT WRITE THIS IN YOUR JOURNAL! If you have questions, write them down. There will be time for them later.

DisclaimerThis lecture is based on years of reading and trying to better understand one of our most famous presidents. There are many people out there who disagree with me on certain points and that is fine. Remember, history is not just facts. History is what we do with those facts, how we interpret them, and one tool we can use to make meaning of our world.History According to Johnson signifies an informed opinion that other scholars may not agree with.Early Life1809- Born in Kentucky to Thomas and Nancy Lincoln.In 1816- Family moved to Indiana.In 1818- Lincolns mother died from milk sickness

Family ProblemsThomas and Nancy were both poorly educated. Very likely they could do little more than sign their names.Lincoln and his father never really connected.In 1851, Lincoln refused to attend his fathers funeral."If we could meet now, it is doubtful whether it would not be more painful than pleasant"

Lincolns Step-MomLate 1819- Thomas marries Sarah Bush Johnston.Sarah is a HUGE influence on Lincoln. She was a warm and caring step-mother and encouraged his studies.

Lincoln spoke fondly of his step-mother throughout his life.

SHOULDER PARTNERDiscuss how Lincolns relationship with his step-mom helped Lincoln.How different might he have been without this loving influence?Illinois LegislatureFamily moved to Illinois in 1830.Lincoln ran for a seat in the Illinois Legislature in 1832. His adopted home town awarded him 92% of the vote, but he was unknown elsewhere in the county. He lost.In 1834, he runs again and is elected.Lincoln the ScholarLincoln really was a self-taught individual.Several people guided him (step-mom and others), but Lincoln taught himself. Lincoln spent every moment he could trying to learn.Joined the Illinois Bar in 1836.He never spent a day in law school.The next year he moved to Springfield and in 1839 he was a key player in making Springfield the state capitol.OH! An interesting bit about Springfield.Guess who decided to show up?Springfield originally went by another name.

Any guesses?CALHOUN, IL

Lincoln in LoveAnn Rutledge[S]he was a handsome girl would have made a good loving wife I did honestly-- & truly love the girl & think often often of her now

Mary ToddFirst met in 1839 and engaged in 1840. They separated for a time before finally marrying in 1842.Mary ToddMary Todd Lincoln came from a respected family, was well educated, and fiercely loyal to her husband and his career.Unfortunately, she showed some instability and was in questionable health most of her life.H.a.t.J. - The Lincolns were very much in love and Mary helped Lincolns career.

Things to know.Lincoln was a story teller.He was a workaholic.He loved to read.Lincoln was extremely thoughtful, intelligent, and comfortable with shades of gray.Early National ExposureLincoln had been in the U.S. House of Representative from 1847-49He ran into a big problem.Which war was taking place?Lincoln was a Whig and against the war with Mexico161854-56Lincoln runs for U.S. Senate. He does not make the ballot.

In 56, Lincoln helps found the Illinois Republican party.

A funny thing happened in 1858

SHOULDER PARTNERDiscuss the what if question.

What if: Lincoln had won this campaign. How might history have been changed?1860- Chicago, IllinoisRepublican Party Convention - William H. Seward vs. Salmon P. Chase vs. Edwin Stanton vs. Edward Bates vs. that rail-splitting country lawyer from Illinois.

Lincoln secures nomination on the third ballot. Election of 1860

From www.270towin.comLincoln on SlaveryFew question that Lincoln thought slavery was a moral wrong.Lincoln was politically opposed to the expansion of slavery.What does politically opposed mean?

Today, some label Lincoln as a racist. This is a hard claim to make when he is compared to his contemporaries.But, there are documents to support the claim.

Two Quotes from LincolnThe following two statements from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas Debates are often quoted by individuals trying to make an argument one way or another.Chicago, July 1858Let us discard all this quibbling about this man and the other man, this race and that race and the other race being inferior, and therefore they must be placed in an inferior position. Let us discard all these things, and unite as one people throughout this land, until we shall once more stand up declaring that all men are created equalCharleston, Illinois September 1858

I will say, then, that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of bringing about in any way the social and political equality of the white and black races; that I am not, nor ever have been, in favor of making voters or jurors of negroes, nor of qualifying them to hold office, nor to intermarry with white people And inasmuch as they cannot so live, while they do remain together, there must be the position of superior and inferior, and I as much as any other man am in favor of having the superior position assigned to the white raceWho is the real Lincoln?Lincoln was a great politician, comfortable with shades of grey, and should be considered a Moderate Republican for his time.Lincoln was one of the great intellectuals of his time.Lincoln believed that slavery must not spread, but was not for ending it in the South (before the war)Lincoln did more than any one person to advance the cause African-Americans and to preserve the Union.History According to JohnsonTICKET OUTWrite down three things from todays lecture.You can include:Something new you learned about Lincoln.Something you have more questions about.Blues183050.05