This is part one of a two-part series celebrating the life of Abraham Lincoln. Part two will focus on the connections between Abraham Lincoln and my home state of Idaho.Coming up in just a couple of days on this Thursday, February 12, the country will be celebrating the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. A multitude of events are taking place across the country to remember him. With all the celebrations and activities going on, I have been pondering a difficult question. What is it about Abraham Lincoln that has captured the curiosity and imagination of so many people?
I listened to a broadcast this last weekend from NPR that gave a birthday tribute to Lincoln that talked about a few aspects of his life we admire. We celebrate this man today who was born in a log cabin and yet became the president that led the country through the Civil War. However, in 1861, Lincoln won less than half of the vote to get elected president. In his own time, Abraham Lincoln was widely mocked and became the butt of many jokes. Even some of his own generals, like George B. McClellan, criticized him.
Maybe the answer to this question lies somewhat in how Lincoln died. The program mentioned that a part of Lincoln's legacy is the tragedy of his assassination. Lincoln became a martyr for the cause that he lived for. I believe that had he lived, Lincoln would have done much to heal the scars of the war. Yet we will never know because, as the broadcast stated, Lincoln ultimately became a casualty of the war itself, another "costly sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."
Abraham Lincoln has always been one of my favorite people from U.S. history. For me, my fascination lies in the fact that Lincoln became a extraordinary person in American history because he faced incredible opposition and burdens during his time as President. If I could pick one historical figure to meet, it would be him. Even after 200 years since this birth, Lincoln's influence on America and his legacy in history has remained.
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Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteI think you have it correct. In my opinion, the three facets of Lincoln which make him so compelling to us today are: his life story; The Gettysburg Address and its ideas of a stronger, new nation; and his tragic assasination. He came from nowhere as everyone knows, with less than 1 year formal education in his entire life. Yet by reading voraciously and with an intense desire to improve his lot in life, he somehow succeeded beyond anyone's imagination.
His Gettysburg Address redefined America as a *nation* instead of the collection of states it had been up to that time. While some claim his Second Inaugural Address to be even better, I disagree. At his Second Inaugural, the War was for all intents and purposes over. But at the point of his Gettysburg Address, the War was still raging on with no end in sight. Lincoln defined what America is all about (or should be all about). One nation, with freedom and equality for ALL people; with a government of the people, by the people, for the people.
Finally, his tragic death created his myth. That the assassination happened on Good Friday permitted Lincoln, through the nation's eyes, to become almost Christlike in nature. Even in the deep South, the grief was palpable. Some of course rejoiced, but clearer minds realized that his death was a tragedy for both North and South. Without the assassination, I'm afraid, Lincoln would not hold such a powerful grip on us today.
Thanks for your post, Rebecca.
Geoff,
ReplyDeleteYou make some really good points concerning Lincoln's legacy, especially about his Gettysburg Address. The Civil War as a whole was a turning point in that America did become one nation and, I believe, set in motion the strong, centralized U.S. government we see today.
You also make a good point in that Lincoln's death was a tragedy for the whole nation. I heard on a documentary about his assassination that Lincoln has the best friend the South could have had after the war.
Thank you for your comments and input! I appreciate it a lot, especially from a Lincoln buff!
Well, I am not American but I've read about him in books, especially in Civil War books. I greatly admire him. There's just something about the Civil War that's so touching, I always feel touched just hearing or reading it lol!
ReplyDeleteDamn right, Abe Lincoln's legacy would forever remain and would never be forgotten and will be cherished for generations to come. If I could meet a historical figure too, I would love to meet him.
Much Love,
I must admit the pedastal that you place Abraham Lincoln on in America has always been a subject of much mirth to me. It serves as something of a symbol of just how much Americans are unaware of their own history. Talking in general obviously.
ReplyDeleteLincoln said, and I will paraphrase because I can't remember the EXACT quote, "If I could maintain the union without freeing a single slave, I would. If I could maintain the union freeing every slave, I would do that too." He did not believe in freeing slaves, he believed that United States had to remain united. Hell, the Emancipation Proclomation is one of the most misunderstood and useless historical documents of all time.
Lincoln laid the foundations for what would become the disastrous reconstruction era (which is how I come across most of my Lincoln knowledge, I wrote a paper asking for the term 'Failed Revolution' to be changed into 'Resisted Occupation' with regards to Reconstruction) and did less for Civil Rights than that other stalwart of American pedastal pushing, Martin Luther King.
I don't mean to sound like I am having a go at anybody by the way, these are just my own conclusions based on what I read during my research for my Reconstruction peice. I do feel Americas treatment of its own history is woeful in almost every respect though. Just look at the bloody 'founding fathers'.
I am a great admirer of Abraham Lincoln. He was not only a great achiever, he was also a very good human being.
ReplyDeleteHalfCrazy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog and your comments. I appreciate your remarks about Lincoln! I agree that his legacy will remain for a long time.
Dan,
ReplyDeleteYou have some interesting points but I don't agree about the Emancipation Proclamation. I agree it's misunderstood but I can't deny its historical significance.
Like I mentioned in my post, I believe that Lincoln would have done a lot to reconcile the North and South. And as far as the Reconstruction, I've haven't studied a lot about that period but I don't think Lincoln can take the blame for it, since he had died!
And I think we have to remember that Lincoln was human too and faced many problems and situations no other president has had to deal with.
Anyway, that's just my opinion as well! Thanks for your comments and for sharing your conclusions.
Saif,
ReplyDeleteI'm also a great admirer of Lincoln! Thanks for visiting my blog and for the comments!
No problem. I'll wait for part 2 of Mr. Abe's Legacy. :)
ReplyDeleteMuch Love,
HalfCrazy,
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm excited about part 2!
Very nice article on Lincoln. He truly was one of the best, if not the best, Presidents our country has ever seen. He has helped shape our country into what it has become today and paved the way for Barack Obama. He led the nation through the toughest time in its history and as George Washington had before him, learned from his mistakes and never made them again. If we had more presidents like Lincoln, I feel its safe to say we would be in good shape. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteKevin,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree about Lincoln. I respect him a lot for the challenges he went through as president and that he learned from his mistakes. He has had a large impact on our country, and continues to have an impact 200 years later. Thanks for your comments and for stopping by!