Clayton Campbell
Mrs. Reichardt
American History
15 Dec. 2003
Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809. Who could have known this poverty-stricken boy would one day grow up to be one of the most famous and most popular presidents that we would ever have. Lincoln was born in an old log cabin, his dad was a migratory carpenter and farmer and his mother Nancy Hanks died in 1818, so little is known of her. Living his early life in Kentucky and then in Illinois not far from Springfield, he was known for his sincerity and his character. Up to his political career he did many odd jobs, including rail-splitting and grocery store manager, but in the end he found his true calling in politics. In 1834, he was elected to serve in the state legislature, he was registered as a Whig and served for four consecutive terms. In 1836 he got his license in law and made a very good lawyer due to his outspokenness.
English: Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President ...
A political cartoon of Andrew Johnson and Abraham ...
The Peacemakers.He continued in politics however and served one term in Congress. In 1854, he started to oppose Stephen A. Douglas's policies and his Kansas-Nebraska Act, he decided to be a republican and was until the day he died. He was looked upon as a probable vice-presidential candidate but failed and decided to oppose Douglas in a senatorial debate. Although not an abolitionist Lincoln firmly put down the idea of slavery and he firmly supported the Union (Columbia). Douglas may have won the senatorial race but Lincoln decided to run for president and was elected in 1860. The southern states seen this as a reason for succession from the union, because of there depleting way of life, so they formed the Confederate States of America. After the attack at Fort Sumter, he declared war.