President: Abraham Lincoln (1809 - 1865)

Term: March 4, 1861 - April 15, 1865

Background: Abraham Lincoln was born in a log cabin in southeast Hardin County, Kentucky to Thomas Lincoln, and Nancy Hanks. They were both Baptist uneducated farmers, although, Lincoln never joined the church himself. He was the first president that was born outside of the Thirteen Colonies. He was the only president to ever hold his only patent, which was for a "device to buoy vessels over shoals." During the Black Hawk War, Lincoln was selected to be captain of an Illinois militia. He also became a significant leader of the Whig Party. He practiced law with his fellow Whig Party friend William Herndon. Lincoln was a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Illinois's 7th district and was in office from March 4, 1847 to March 3, 1849. As a response to the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Lincoln aimed towards the creation of Republican Party with the remnants of the Whig party, Free Soil, Liberty, and Democratic Party members.

Political Party: Whig (1832-1854), Republican (1854-1864), National Union (1864-1865)

Vice-President: Hannibal Hamlin (1861 - 1865), Andrew Johnson (1865)

Major Domestic Policy: Abraham Lincoln's major focus during his presidency was on the Civil War, which began after the attack from Southerners on Fort Sumpter. At this time, the Southern states were seceding from the Union. These states called themselves the Confederate States of America. Lincoln stated that the Southern states had no right to secede, and he looked upon the Union as unbroken. After the Union had their first big victory at Antietam, Lincoln created the Emancipation Proclamation. This enabled slaves to gain freedom in all areas such as the North and the South. It also was created to keep Great Britain from helping the South to support slave riots. Congress passed the Second Confiscation Act in July 1862, which freed slaves who were convicted of being involved with rebellion. This act grave proof that Lincoln was supporting Congress in freeing all slaves. Lincoln also singed the Homestead Act in 1862, which made millions of acres of government owned land in the western areas extremely cheap. He singed this act in hopes of more people moving into the western areas. Another act signed was the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act, which was also signed in 1862 and gave government grants to agricultural universities in each state. The Pacific Railway Acts of 1862 and 1864 were also put into action and gave federal support to the creation of the United States' First Transcontinental Railroad. Lincoln also signed the National Banking Acts of 1863, 1864 and 1865. This Acts made it possible to establish a strong national finical system. Another Act created during Lincoln's Presidency was the Legal Tender Act of 1862. This Act created the United States Note, which was the first paper money since the Continentals that were in use during the Revolution. This act was put into effect in order to help pay for the Civil War. With General Lee's surrender at the Appomattox Courthouse in 1865, the Civil War was formally over. Lincoln now wanted to restructure the United States and get the South back into the Union. He then made the 10 percent plan, stating that once at least 10 percent of the state wanted to be placed back into the Union, that state would be admitted into the Union. Lincoln was never able to see his plan go into effect, because he was shot and killed by John Wilkes Booth within less then a week then the surrender of General Lee. Republican's endorse their plans of Homestead Act, railroad aid, high tariffs, and national banking.

Major Foreign Policy: With the Civil war going on, both the North and the South wanted alliances with European countries. Britain was supporting the South, until the Emancipation Proclamation was enacted, and then they realized that if they would still support the South, they would have been seen as slavery supporters. Due to the fact that the South had support from the British, three destroyers were built. They were known as the Alabama, Florida and Shenandoah. Together, they destroyed over 250 Union ships. The French did want to support the Confederacy, but Napoleon III decided that once the war began, they would stay out of any conflict. The French did take advantage of the war because the internal fighting did violate the Monroe Doctrine. Napoleon III deployed soldiers to Mexico after debts were not paid to France and created. After the Civil War was finished, Lincoln sent troops into Mexico and Napoleon III demanded his troops to be withdrawn.

Court Cases:

• The Prize Cases (1863)-This case stated that president Lincoln had the right to create the blockade of the Southern ports, and gave presidents the right to act upon a situation.

• Ex Parte Merryman (1861)-Declared that the president did not have the right to suspend Habeas Corpus.

• Ex Parte Vallandigham (1864)-The Supreme Court had no jurisdiction from the appeals of the military courts.

• Gelpcke v. Dubuque (1864)-Congress ruled that contracts that were made from past judicial decisions, they could not be impaired by any new occurring creation of law.

• Ex parte Milligan (1865)-Ruled that if a civil court is accessible, then a resident could not have a hearing in a military court.

Intellectual and Social Developments:

• Confederate States of America form and rebel Union until 1865 and the 13th Amendment was created and ended slavery.

• Free blacks are having trouble to have control over their land.

• The American Red Cross is founded, and the Sanitary Commission.

Lincoln's Legacy: Lincoln will always be remembered as one of top five presidents. He will also be known as an excellent president from his leadership skills, crisis management, political skills, and his wonderful personality. He was also the most active president in history and has helped America become a better place by ending slavery. Lincoln knew when he needed to ignore laws. For example, he started war without declaring it. He will always be remembered for his work towards preserving the Union, and the ending of slavery. He was the President to face the greatest crisis, and he was the President who has accomplished so much good for the country. Most of all, he will be known for enacting the Emancipation Proclamation on New Years Day and gaining all rights for African American's.

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