Abraham Lincoln (Differently)

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809-February 15, 1888) was the 16th president of the United States of America, who lead the nation through the War of American Succession (from 1861-1863).

Following the United States’ loss in the war, Lincoln popularity would plummet leading to his impeachment by House of Representatives (although he was acquitted by the Senate).

Lincoln is among the most controversial figure in American history, and is regarded by many historians as one of the worst presidents in American history.

Early Life
See here.

Political Career
See here.

American Civil War
Lincoln was the Republican nominee in the 1860 presidential election, becoming the party’s first and only president. Fears that he would try to limit the expansion of slavery or try to abolish it altogether led 11 states to secede from the Union and form the Confederate States of America. Lincoln initially tried to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict but following the attack Fort Sumter the president decided war was the only option.

For almost two years, the War for Southern Independence raged on. President Lincoln commanded the Union forces and tried to win a quick victory at first. When immediate success did not come, the president believed he was going to be in a long-term campaign. He cycled through many generals, unable to find a competent commander who was able to take advantage of the South's mistakes. Some scholars claim that the consistent cycling in leadership was a major reason for the United States’ defeat.

Following the Union’s lost at the Battle of Camp Hill on October 1, 1862, and the capture of Philadelphia the following week. Lincoln attempted the forming of a new army to march on Richmond hoping to take advantage of the fact that Lee and his Army of Northern Virginia was held up in Philadelphia, but many felt the Union’s victory to be unattainable. Serious discussion of peace negotiations was brought up in Congress from both the Democratic and Republican Leadership, yet Lincoln refused to support such a compromise. Following British and French recognition of the Confederacy and establishment of diplomatic recognition on the 13th of October, became all the more serious and Lincoln’s concern of a possible war with the United Kingdom and the House of Representative’s seriously discussion of Impeachment. Lincoln agreed to a ceasefire with President Davis and his Confederacy November 27, 1862.

Peace Negotiations began January 8, 1863 and were held in Alexandria, Virginia. British Foreign Secretary Lord Russell served as mediator between the Confederacy and the United States. Lincoln attended the first meeting between the negotiation teams but only joined a couple of the actual discussions instead having his newly appointed Secretary of State Elihu B. Washburne (William H. Seward had resigned from the office in protest of peace talks) and Admiral David Farragut handled the talks instead. Lincoln would sign the treaty of Alexandria on February 15, 1863 ending the War of Southern Independence.

Post War
Following the treaty Lincoln would oversee the release of Confederate prisoners of war, the removal of US troops and military supplies from the Confederacy. Also, during this time, a flux of citizens leaving from United States to the Confederacy and vice versa would make a lot of trouble for the newly established boarders and the removal of military equipment. In the summer of 63’ Lincoln would be impeached by the US House of Representatives for abuse of power during the war. Becoming the first President to be impeached. Later Lincoln would be acquitted by the US Senate by a single vote. Following the Impeachment Lincoln would effectively become a lame duck president. Nevertheless, Lincoln expressed interest in running for reelection.

At the Republican Convention of 1864 (The party's 3rd and final national convention) Lincoln would place 6th in the conventions nominations. Behind Former Secretary of State William Seward, Speaker of the House Schuyler Colfax, Vice President Hannibal Hamlin, newspaper editor and publisher Horace Greeley, and Major General Winfield Scott.

Lincoln would not campaign for Seward and spent his final months in office signing procedural papers and he rarely appeared in public. March 4th 1865 Lincoln would handover the White House to the Democratic President-elect General George B. McClellan.

Post Presidency
More to come...