Abraham Lincoln.

Essay by elmiusJMWJunior High, 8th gradeA+, May 2003

download word file, 2 pages 5.0

Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky on February 12, 1809 to Thomas and Nancy Lincoln. He was born in a one-room log cabin only 16 feet long and 18 feet wide. When he was 6 years old, he and his sister Sarah walked two miles each day to a log schoolhouse. He learned how to read, write, and do math. He enjoyed writing a lot and even wrote with charcoal on the back of a wooden shovel to practice. Since there were no neighbors in his area, he spent most of his free time reading. He was a very honest young man and because of that won a great reputation. Around age 20, he moved to Illinois. He worked at several jobs including a shopkeeper, postmaster, and surveyor.

In 1847 Lincoln ran for the House of Representatives and won. While he was doing this position in Washington D.C. he became well known for his integrity and his opposition to the Mexican War and to slavery.

During his time in office, he studied law on his own and earned his law license. After his term in the House was up, he moved back home to practice law. He was beginning to lose enthusiasm for politics, until the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed in 1854. Since he was interested in ending slavery he got into politics again. Next, Abraham Lincoln attempted to run for President. Originally, William Seward was the Republican Party's nomination, but Lincoln won on the 3rd ballot. He was elected on November 6, 1860 as the 16th President. Lincoln was sworn in on March 4, 1861 wearing a beard because of the suggestion of an 11 year old girl.

When Abraham Lincoln came into power, a great problem occurred. Many southern states feared Republican control of the government and seceded...