Abraham Lincoln was one of the United States’ most influential presidents. He became the 16th president of the US in 1861 and was in office when the country was in the midst of a civil war. Although the Civil War officially ended in 1865, the legacy of Lincoln’s decisions has been felt long after his death. Here is a closer look at Lincoln’s legacy: the Emancipator and the Civil War.
Lincoln’s Start as President During the Civil War
When Abraham Lincoln became the President of the US in 1861, the country was on the brink of war. The southern states had seceded, leaving the union and challenging the power of the federal government in Washington. For four long years, the country, and president, wrestled with a war that drained lives and resources until it was finally ended in 1865. Throughout this period, Lincoln had to navigate a highly fraught political situation and make difficult decisions about the future of the country and the lives of the people living in it.
The Significance of Lincoln’s Leadership During the Civil War
The leadership of Lincoln during this difficult period was extremely important to the final outcome of the war. This was a period of immense change for the US and its citizens; during his tenure, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves held in Confederate states were free as of 1863. This marked a major moment in US history and was a clear indication of one of Lincoln’s major legacies: he has been remembered since then as the “Great Emancipator.”
Lincoln’s Further Achievements
In addition to his role in ending slavery, Lincoln also made a number of other achievements during his presidency that still resonate today. He formulated the Thirteenth Amendment to the US Constitution, which officially abolished slavery. He also had a major hand in the establishment of the Gettysburg Address, which gave one of the most memorable speeches in US history ever given by a president.
He fought for human rights across the board, and he edicted the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction that declared a framework for the reunification of the country. This was an incredibly successful and effective plan, which was a key factor in the ultimate ending of the Civil War.
Lincoln’s Legacy
One of the most remarkable aspects of Lincoln’s legacy is that his achievements have been so far reaching. We can trace the effects of the policies surrounding the Emancipation Proclamation on the US today. These include the fourteen amendment which includes the equal protection clause and the Voting Rights act of 1965 and later, which both directly connect back to the successful issuing of the proclamation by Lincoln.
Further Legacies
In addition to the specific policies he implemented, Lincoln also left a long-lasting legacy of leadership and decision-making during the Civil War. His decision to keep the union together, his determination to fight for freedom and human rights, and his skillful navigation through the negotiations of the period still resonate with us today.
Lincoln’s role in the Emancipation Proclamation and the ending of the Civil War are integral parts of US history. He was a visionary politician and a leader, who will always be remembered for the decisions he made during this challenging time.
The period of the Civil War remains one of the most difficult in US history. Even so, it was a period where great strides were made towards ultimately creating a just and fair society, thanks to Lincoln and his leadership throughout the period. Lincoln’s legacy as the “Great Emancipator” and as a leader who successfully ended the Civil War are integral components of US history and will remain so for years to come.