The First Republican President
The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States as well as the first ever Republican President.
Lincoln started out as an American lawyer, just as many as our presidents still do today.
Lincoln was a self educated man, learning through the fascination of books. His formal schooling was from traveling teachers, it was short, with the total only adding up to 12 months.
As Lincoln grew older, he was held responsible for many chores, and working outside the house.
Lincoln was tall for his age, at a height of 6’ 4” by 21, he was very strong and athletic, being a wrestling champion. He was named the renowned leader by “the Clary’s Grove boys” team.
In 1830 during a sickness outbreak, Lincoln and his family moved to Illinois, where he meets his future wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. She was the daughter of a wealthy slave owner in Lexington, Kentucky.
Lincoln ended up having four boys a few years after he got married to Mary.
Lincoln was very fond of his four boys, he would often bring them to his law office. However, this irritated his co-workers, saying it was irresponsible and annoying.
In 1847-1849, Lincoln joined the U.S. House of Representatives. Lincoln represented Illinois 7th district during his time in office. However, when he ran for the first time in 1843, he was defeated by John J. Hardin.
Then, in 1850 Lincoln began to voice his Republican political views. He began to voice how he thought slavery was wrong, and it was an issue Americans needed to address.
On October 16th 1854, Lincoln shared his views to the world with his “Peoria Speech”.
In 1860, Lincoln ran for the President of the United States. He won in November, and took office in March 1861.
With his presidency, came along many of his accomplishments.
He signed the Homestead Act which allowed for farmers to purchase and own land.
In 1862 he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which would free millions of slaves from confederate states.
He established the amazing U.S. banking system, which at the time dollar bills were called “Greenbacks”.
He enforced better education to children in the states by signing the Morrill Act, or known as the Land Grant College Act. This made it to where individuals could practice agriculture and mechanics.
Of course he led the Union to victory during the Civil War in 1865.
Last, but not least, he signed the Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1863. This made it where Thanksgiving was officially a national holiday.
On April 14th, 1865 at the age of 56, Lincoln was assassinated, and declared dead the next morning.
He was killed by an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth, who slipped into his seating area at a Washington theater and shot him in the back.
Although his death brought sadness to the world, what he did will never be forgotten.
Lincoln once said, “Whatever you are, be a good one.”.
If Lincoln were alive today, and he saw us as a country, would he say that we’re a good one?