Abraham Lincoln

Birth-Death: (1809 - 1865 ) Term: (1861-1865 )

The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln is well known for the Civil War. Lincoln considered to breakaway states to be in rebellion, and not separated from the Union, which accounts for his lenient policies for readmitting states into the Union after the war was over.

Major Events with Abraham Lincoln

1860 - The Election of 1860

    There were four candidates in the election. Abraham Lincoln ran on the Republican ticket of stopping the spread of slavery. John C. Breckenridge was nominated by the Southern Democrats and his platform included federal protection of slavery in the territories. Stephen Douglas ran, but after the Freeport debate he was not trusted by the South. John Bell was nominated by the Constitutional Union party, its only goal was to keep the nation united. As a result, Abraham Lincoln won the election by winning all of the free states and receiving 180 electoral votes, his name wasn't even on the ballots in the Southern states.

1862 - Homestead Act

    The Homestead Act stimulated western movement by offering 160 acres of free land to the families. The land was free if it was lived on for five years, or it could be bought at $1.25 an acre after it was lived on for six months. The latter clause sparked controversy as Railroad companies bought this land and sold it at higher prices.

1863 - Emancipation Proclamation

    The Emancipation Proclamation was a tactical weapon used by the North in winning the war. Issued after their victory at Antietam, it freed all slaves in the territories occupied by the South. As a result, the British decided not to enter the war, because they were against slavery. Furthermore, Lincoln tried to give the slaves an incentive to start a rebellion and disrupt the military actions of the South.