Columbus Hope For The Future

Sophia Rowe

American History: Our Hope for the Future

October 12th, 1492, Columbus sailed across vast ocean, stumbling upon what soon would be known as the New World. At this early time, Columbus and other explorers had no idea the massive nation that would later become the United States. Columbus’s hope for the future, was merely to find more resources and wealth, however his arrival impacted much more than himself, sparking an exploration movement. Since then, a lot has changed. From colonists sailing on the Mayflower, to an independent nation, to what seems like countless conflicts and wars, America, and the future promise she holds, has stood strong throughout it all. Motivation, sacrifice and commitment, was and is the

Settlers arriving from Europe sought the hope and future of the American dream before America even existed. Their hope for the future consisted of religious and tyrannical freedom. Pursuing that dream, required sacrifice, sometimes death. But the motivation to establish a colony, to own land and to provide for your family, encouraged those to look past the risks. To fight for rights, to fight for freedom. It’s the same motivation that pushed settlers past the harsh waves of the Atlantic Ocean, the same motivation that inspired colonists to govern themselves by establishing assemblies and law, and the same motivation that made colonists into

At such a crucial point in our history, a man by the name of Abraham Lincoln took a stand. But what was most peculiar, was his logical thinking. He did not pick one extremity, nor did he deny the rationality of the other. Why? Because he was committed to uniting the nation, to keep the young United States together. It was now not just an issue of slavery and morality, but the perpetuation of the ideal democracy. While his personal wish was that all men be freed, his official duty, to protect the United States, took precedence. Eventually Lincoln concluded that emancipation could be declared based upon the Constitution and the integrity of the country. Lincoln gave this statement to Americans, “I would save the Union. I would save it in the shortest way under the Constitution.” Now, after that lovely history lesson I should explain my point. The civil war was the most divided the United States has ever been. It was not by personal bias or ideals that saved the Union, but objective and rational commitment. Abraham Lincoln was motivated enough for change, and wise enough to know that change requires sacrifice. He based his reasoning on the Constitution, a declaration of common values within the United States, but even the Constitution required sacrifice to be