Abraham Lincoln Summary

The book Abraham Lincoln, written by James M. McPherson, constitutes not only Abraham Lincoln’s life, but also his remarkable presidency. Abraham Lincoln was the sixteenth president of the United States. He also was considered a peacemaker because his passion was to follow God’s law and create every man to be equal. During Lincoln’s first term of presidency in 1860-1864, he followed his passion by abolishing slavery, otherwise known as the Thirteenth Amendment. Following his first term, his second term’s goal is now known as the Fifteenth Amendment.
To say the least, McPherson argues the brilliancy of Abraham Lincoln’s ideas and the colossal contribution Lincoln had regarding the United States of America. Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 by Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks. Lincoln’s childhood was preserved, and his education was gained through many different schoolhouses since his father was on the move so much. Abe Lincoln’s love for reading made his father’s relationship with Abe more distant.
Since Lincoln did not have love for the plantations or farming, his father grew bitter towards his son’s future. Abe Lincoln’s coming of age required him to realize he was getting old. He decided to marry Mary Todd in 1842. A few years after his father died in 1851, Lincoln volunteered for the militia. This increased his interest in government and the Union. Abraham Lincoln was a Republican with Whig ideology. Lincoln succeeded in his campaign for congressmen and after that, he decided to run for president.

Although his campaigns for presidency failed several times, Abraham Lincoln never gave up because he knew it was what he wanted to do. His last candidacy with Senator Douglass was a hard campaign, but Lincoln’s lead in free state votes guaranteed his election as a Republican president. This was only the beginning of a long crucial time for the North and South. The decreasing supplies at Fort Sumter lead to the start of the American Civil War. The American Civil War was a long lasting war between the Union [northern states] and the Confederacy [southern states].
The origin of this war was the quarrel issue regarding slavery. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln stated his view on the purpose of the war. Stating, “This nation could either be perished from the earth, or might live through this flexible, simple issue, which can only be tried by war” (McPherson 35). Lincoln was not fond of violence, but he knew that this is what it took for the United States to become a country of equality and righteousness. Throughout the war, Abe Lincoln had many commanders that failed him and his hope for winning the war.
There was one commander that Lincoln applauded because they had the same military strategy. Ulysses S. Grant was the successful commander that led the Union multiple battles of victory. In fact, Abe Lincoln was so pleased with Grant, Lincoln granted a higher rank for Grant; making him general in chief of all Union armies. As matters bound up throughout this war Lincoln stood tall and firm on his beliefs regarding different issues. One matter rose up about slavery, this was during 1862, the time the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.
The Emancipation Proclamation was essentially a document that freed slaves from Confederate territory forever. As a result of the Emancipation Proclamation, Lincoln and his administration decided to adopt a Constitutional Amendment to abolish slavery. This is now known as the Thirteenth Amendment. Although Abe Lincoln did not live to see the issue of the Thirteenth Amendment, his presidency is the foundation of that Amendment. In November 1865, Lincoln was reelected to be president. However, that term did not last very long.
In April 1866, Booth, an egotistic member of the Confederate secret service, shot Lincoln in the head. Few might say Lincoln help too much power, but others would proclaim him as a saint. James McPherson contends Lincoln’s phenomenal presidency and his great contribution to the United States of America. Without Lincoln, the nation might have still been divided, and segregation would be more than a controversial topic. Abraham Lincoln is a riveting book that tailgates not only Lincoln’s life, but also his fascinating presidency.