Abraham Lincoln makes a speech at Cooper Union in the city of New York that is largely responsible for his election to the Presidency.

The Enduring Legacy of Abraham Lincoln: A Self-Made Statesman Who Preserved the Union

Abraham Lincoln, born on February 12, 1809, and tragically assassinated on April 15, 1865, remains one of the most pivotal figures in American history. As the 16th President of the United States, serving from 1861 until his death, Lincoln guided a fractured nation through its darkest hour, the brutal American Civil War. His extraordinary leadership ultimately led to the preservation of the Union, the abolishment of slavery, a strengthened federal government, and the modernization of the U.S. economy, forever shaping the trajectory of the nation.

From Humble Beginnings to National Stature

Lincoln's journey to the presidency was anything but conventional. He was born into poverty in a rustic log cabin in Kentucky and spent his formative years on the challenging American frontier, primarily in Indiana. Despite these humble beginnings and a lack of formal schooling, Lincoln was largely self-educated, demonstrating an insatiable appetite for knowledge. This self-reliance laid the foundation for his remarkable career as a lawyer. He honed his sharp intellect and persuasive speaking skills in the courts, quickly gaining recognition.

His political career began in Illinois, where he served as an Illinois state legislator and later as a U.S. Congressman, initially aligning with the Whig Party. After a period away from direct politics, focusing on his law practice, Lincoln found himself compelled to re-enter the public sphere. The catalyst was the controversial Kansas–Nebraska Act of 1854, which threatened to expand slavery into new territories. Deeply troubled by this development, he became a leading voice in the newly formed Republican Party, a political force dedicated to preventing the expansion of slavery. His powerful arguments and compelling rhetoric reached a national audience during the famous 1858 Senate campaign debates against Stephen Douglas, solidifying his reputation as a formidable orator and a principled opponent of slavery's spread.

A Nation Divided: Lincoln's Presidency and the Civil War

By 1860, Lincoln's influence had grown significantly, leading to his presidential candidacy. He swept the North to secure victory, a triumph that was immediately perceived by pro-slavery elements in the South as an existential threat to their way of life and the institution of slavery. In response, Southern states began seceding from the Union. The ultimate act of defiance came when the newly formed Confederate States fired upon Fort Sumter, a U.S. fort in South Carolina, marking the official start of the American Civil War. Lincoln swiftly called up forces, committing the nation to a brutal conflict aimed at suppressing the rebellion and restoring the Union.

As president, Lincoln faced an unprecedented challenge. He was a moderate Republican navigating a contentious landscape filled with factions from both Democratic and Republican parties. His allies, including the War Democrats and the more radical Republicans, often pushed for a harsh stance against the Southern Confederates. Meanwhile, anti-war Democrats, derisively called "Copperheads," openly despised Lincoln, and irreconcilable pro-Confederate elements actively plotted his assassination. Lincoln masterfully managed these warring factions by subtly exploiting their mutual enmities, carefully distributing political patronage, and, most importantly, by continually appealing to the common sense and patriotism of the American people.

His leadership during the war was comprehensive. He meticulously supervised the strategy and tactics of the war effort, including the crucial selection of generals, and implemented a vital naval blockade of the South's trade. In a controversial but perceived necessary move, he suspended habeas corpus in Maryland to maintain order and protect the capital. His diplomatic prowess was also on display when he skillfully defused the Trent Affair, averting British intervention on the side of the Confederacy.

Emancipation and the Path to Freedom

Perhaps Lincoln's most enduring legacy is his unwavering commitment to ending slavery. His landmark Emancipation Proclamation, issued in 1863, was a monumental step, declaring that all enslaved people in Confederate territory were free. More than just a declaration, it included an order for the Army and Navy to actively liberate, protect, and recruit former slaves, transforming the nature of the war into a fight for freedom. Beyond this, he actively encouraged border states to outlaw slavery within their own borders and was a driving force behind the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which, upon its ratification, outlawed slavery across the entire country, fulfilling the nation's promise of liberty for all.

His profound dedication to freedom and unity was eloquently articulated in his iconic Gettysburg Address, a brief yet powerful speech that appealed to deep nationalistic, republican, egalitarian, libertarian, and democratic sentiments, reminding Americans of the founding principles they were fighting to preserve.

Reconciliation and a Tragic End

Amidst the ongoing war, Lincoln successfully managed his own re-election campaign in 1864, demonstrating the public's continued faith in his leadership. As the war drew to a close, with the Confederacy collapsing, Lincoln's focus shifted to healing the deeply fractured nation. His vision was one of reconciliation, aiming to bind up the nation's wounds with malice toward none and charity for all.

However, this vision of a peaceful reconstruction was tragically cut short. On April 14, 1865, just days after the war's end at Appomattox, Abraham Lincoln was attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., with his wife Mary, when he was fatally shot by Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth. His assassination plunged the nation into mourning and cemented his place in history as a martyr for freedom and unity. To this day, Lincoln is consistently ranked as one of the greatest presidents in American history, revered for his wisdom, fortitude, and moral courage during a defining period.

The Cooper Union Speech: A Pivotal Moment for a Future President

Among Abraham Lincoln's most significant speeches, the Cooper Union speech, known at the time as the Cooper Institute speech, stands out as a turning point in his presidential campaign. Delivered on February 27, 1860, at Cooper Union in New York City, it came just months before he secured the Republican nomination for the presidency. Many historians have argued that this powerful address was instrumental in securing his victory in the presidential election later that year.

In this lengthy and meticulously researched speech, Lincoln elaborated his definitive views on slavery. He firmly affirmed his opposition to the expansion of slavery into the western territories, grounding his position by claiming that the Founding Fathers themselves would have agreed with this stance. Journalist Robert J. McNamara described it as "one of his longest, at more than 7,000 words. And it is not one of his speeches with passages that are often quoted. Yet, due to the careful research and Lincoln's forceful argument, it was stunningly effective." The speech's impact on the influential East Coast audience was profound. Horace Greeley's New York Tribune hailed it as "one of the most happiest and most convincing political arguments ever made in this City. ... No man ever made such an impression on his first appeal to a New-York audience." This strong reception significantly boosted Lincoln's national profile, positioning him as a viable and eloquent candidate for the nation's highest office.

Frequently Asked Questions About Abraham Lincoln

Who was Abraham Lincoln?
Abraham Lincoln was an American lawyer and statesman who served as the 16th President of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in American history for leading the nation through the American Civil War and preserving the Union.
When did Abraham Lincoln serve as president?
He served as president from March 4, 1861, until his death on April 15, 1865.
What were Abraham Lincoln's major achievements?
His primary achievements include preserving the Union during the American Civil War, abolishing slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation and the Thirteenth Amendment, strengthening the federal government, and modernizing the U.S. economy. His Gettysburg Address is also a revered example of his powerful rhetoric.
How did Abraham Lincoln die?
Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot by Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865, while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. He died the following morning, on April 15, 1865.
What was the Cooper Union speech?
The Cooper Union speech was a crucial address delivered by Abraham Lincoln on February 27, 1860, in New York City. In it, he eloquently argued against the expansion of slavery into new territories, significantly boosting his profile and contributing to his eventual nomination and victory in the 1860 presidential election.