Abraham Lincoln: America's Greatest President

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Abraham Lincoln, who is commonly referred to as Honest Abe, was the sixteenth president of the United States of America. He was the first Republican to hold the title of United States president. His presidency spanned what is arguably our country’s most difficult time, the Civil War. He was able to help prevent the permanent division of the country while also emancipating slaves in the process. His bravery and dedication to America throughout his time in office-and the years before- are what cause many Americans- then and now- to consider Abraham Lincoln the greatest president of the United States.
Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in Kentucky on the twelfth of February in 1809 (American President: Abraham Lincoln). While he was young, …show more content…

By this time, seven states had already seceded from the Union because they were aware of his strong belief in the abolition of slavery (Abraham Lincoln Elected President). Lincoln vowed to keep the Union united even if it meant going to war. Battles were fought from Virginia to California, which divided the United States, but Lincoln went to great measures to ensure the Union remained a whole; he exercised more executive authority than any of his predecessors. In January 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which acted as an important symbol of the abolition of slavery (American President: Abraham Lincoln). In November 1863, Abraham Lincoln gave a speech at the dedication for a new cemetery in Gettysburg. In this speech, he articulately described the purpose of the Civil War and human equality- he conveyed his message in a mere 272 words (Abraham Lincoln). In 1864, Lincoln refused to call off the presidential elections as support of the country’s democratic laws and as proof that he was not a president of selfish desires. Lincoln was reelected after an outstanding victory by Union troops; Andrew Johnson became Lincoln’s vice president during this election (American President: Abraham

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