These negotiations where, as mentioned in the beginning, of a more private nature. Mostly separated from the political topic they were held between Abraham Lincoln, his wife and his son Robert. In this constellation we face the mother, which already suffered the loss of one son and does not want to see her oldest son near any danger. The son however, a student at Harvard university, sees himself as coward. While most of the other men in his age in Boston joined the military to fight against then Confederates his father forbids him to drop of from university and do the same. He also sees war as an option to give purpose to his existence in his father’s big shadow. We can see this when he says he would never be as important as his father but through military, at least, he could be someone. …show more content…
On the one hand side he understands his sons wished and wants to see him happy, but on the other hand he does not want to lose another son and hopes he is safe at Harvard and will become a lawyer just like he did. First, he tried several simple approaches. He took his son to hospitals and showed him the cruel side of war hoping this would chance Roberts decision. Unfortunately, it had the opposite effect. Here he found a good balance, when he realized he could not keep his son from enlisting. As we learn in many negotiations guides a compromise is normally unsatisfying for all parties. Here he prevented a fatal outcome by letting his son join the army but sending him to support the general at the headquarter. As information officer he was still part of the army and felt honored as he could be a part of the fight against the south. However, in his position he was not actively involved in fights so Lincoln and his wife could feel better as they knew they would not lose another son. 5. Lessons
In Abraham Lincoln, by George McGovern, McGovern summarizes and gives insight on one of the United States’ most well-known and highly praised presidents, Abraham Lincoln. McGovern thoroughly outlines Lincoln’s life, his struggles and how he became the great president that he was. One point McGovern continues to mention is how no matter how bad a situation was or even when people doubted Lincoln, he would take his defeats and preserve. In the beginning of the book, McGovern recounts Lincoln’s life as a kid and a young adult. He describes how no matter how bad Lincoln failed or how sad he was, “Lincoln would not resign himself to failure and loss; instead he learned from each experience and carried on” . In addition, McGovern continues to mention how Lincoln never stopped learning. From a young age, Lincoln loved to learn, read and expand his knowledge so he could fully analyze any situation. According to McGovern, this personality trait allowed Lincoln to work and rise up from a farmer’s son to the President of the United States. This trait, also, allowed Lincoln “to take a far more active role in managing military affairs” . Lincoln was able to come up with a new strategy for the Union to win the Civil War.
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most well known presidents in the history of the United States of America. He as thought to be the man who led this great country through the toughest times it had to encounter. His determination to get the United States through the Civil War is one of the best things that have ever happened for this country. Lincoln’s argument about the relationship between slavery, the Constitution, and the Union changed throughout the Civil War. Lincoln’s view of the purpose of the war was to save the Union because of the southern states seceding from the Union. However, the argument changed to the war being about slavery because of Fredrick Douglass’s speeches and the Confederates surrendering at
In addition, Lincoln appeals to the emotions of the audience when he says, “The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully” (48-49). He is presenting the realization that no one is technically getting what they truly desired in the first place. Also Lincoln indicates the surprising effects of War
The Civil War was a war that was fought over the civil and humane treatment of every person, regardless of their outward appearances. It left a scathing scar on the nation After the atrocities that were suffered in the Civil war, the nation need a way to heal it’s wounds and unite again. Lincoln had a battle of his own to fight within the congress for the Reconstruction of the nation, While Lincoln believed that the south had suffered enough and had a long road to recovery, the radical republicans wanted to punish the south. They believed that the act of secession by the southern states was treason and the penalties should be strict.
Douglass and the abolitionists argued that because the aim of the Civil War was to end slavery, African Americans should be allowed to engage in the fight for their freedom. Douglass met with President Lincoln to discuss the role of blacks in the Civil War. He felt that military service was important in order to service the rights of citizenship and suffrage. In an interview with President Lincoln he advocated for equal treatment, pay and protection of black soldiers as well as rewards with promotion. “Abraham Lincoln referred to him as the most meritorious man of the nineteenth century (Who was Frederick Douglass?).” With the North no longer obliged to return slaves to their owners in the South, Douglass fought for equality for his people. He made plans with Lincoln to move liberated slaves out of the South. During the war, Douglass also helped the Union by serving as a recruiter for the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. “As soon as he got orders to start recruiting for the 54th Massachusetts Regiment his sons, Charles and Lewis, were one of the first ones to enroll (Douglass’ Role in the Civil War).” “His recruitment efforts were highly successful as regiments quickly filled up. Among the best known articles he wrote in Douglass Monthly are “Another Word to Colored Men”, “Why should a Black Man enlist?” and “Men of Color to Arms (Douglass’ Role in the Civil War).” His employment with the Anti-Slavery Society ended however, Douglass continued to fight for equal rights and full citizenship for African
President Lincoln was thinking of taking a risky step to seal victory. At this point in time he came to the realization that he needed to move in a different direction. The strategic goal to restore the Union was not a good enough reason to keep the Northern states interested and behind the war.
The bloodiest war in American history, led by Abraham Lincoln for the north, and Jefferson Davis for the south, both presidents, but two different sides. Both garner for peace, yet one is willing to start a war, while the other is willing to accept it. This essay will compare and contrast the political, economical, and social outlooks on Lincoln’s and Davis’ Inaugural addresses throughout the civil war between the North and South. Slavery, laws, and state rights drove the South to start a war, and Lincoln received the war with open arms. Both sides wanted peace, but their means of achieving it and their leaders’ choices and beliefs differed greatly while still holding similarities.
During the American Civil War, leadership within the Union’s army was constantly an issue. Within the Union, various generals were found at times to be at odds with the political leaders in Washington. This was especially evident in the relationship between General George McClellan and President Lincoln. This tension was the result of McClellan’s approach to waging war. By examining the differing approaches to waging war of U.S. Grant and George B. McClellan one can gain a better appreciation for the decision making that was necessary by leaders like Lincoln, in selecting military
Although James McPherson presents Lincoln as having numerous qualities that defined him as a brilliant leader, he wastes no time in revealing what he believes to be Lincoln’s greatest strength. In his Introduction, McPherson states regarding Lincoln’s political leadership: “In a civil war whose origins lay in a political conflict over the future of slavery and a political decision by certain states to secede, policy could never be separated from national strategy…. And neither policy nor national strategy could be separated from military strategy” (McPherson, p.6). Lincoln could not approach the war from a purely martial standpoint—instead, he needed to focus on the issues that caused it. For the catalyst of the war was also the tool for its solution; a war started by differing ideologies could only be resolved through the military application of ideology. This non-objective approach to the waging of the war almost resembles the inspired approach McPherson brings to his examination of Lincoln himself.
Lincoln was a noble man. He was known as honest “Abe” when he practiced law. When he spoke he stood still and kept his hands behind his back. He used his words very cautiously but spoke with conviction and motivation. He was always very positive, hoping for a reconciliation between the states. “Lincoln's distinctively human and
President Lincoln’s skills as a political and military leader proved far superior to those of his counterpart, Jefferson Davis. Although Lincoln had no previous military experience, he possessed a basic common sense for understanding the strategy of war. Lincoln’s innovative leadership, adaptability, and the ability to provide quick resolutions, gave the North a decisive advantage. He also understood that his time was limited and did not try to micromanage his generals. Lincoln knew that he needed qualified individuals to handle the day-to-day military operations. He found such a person in General Grant and handed over complete military control to him in 1963.[vii]
The election of Abraham Lincoln accompanied with the economic and social difference between Souths and north created a rift with in the states. The dissent grew between union opponents and confederates resulting in to deadly civil war. “It began with fanfare of bugles and patriotic oratory, with both sides promising that it would be over in ninety days” (Oates, 364). It miss estimated by both sides whereby plunged into in exorable war. Young folks streamed to recruiting centers from both sides influenced by fellow friends and fascinating military pride. Both sides were not prepared militarily to participate nor had the experienced professional soldiers. The attack of
In splitting far from this commonplace view, Winik draws from his endless experience as a ranking staff part with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and utilizations his firsthand learning to clarify why such a variety of twentieth century common wars took after a cycle of perpetual carnage. On account of the United States, the creator found a shocking soul of compromise that showed up promptly after Appomattox. Despite the fact that he recognizes that astringent, regularly brutal political battles kept amid Reconstruction–particularly over the status of liberated blacks–Winik trusts that Abraham Lincoln's request for empathy and absolution in his second inaugural address, Ulysses S. Concede's and William T. Sherman's liberal surrender terms, and Robert E. Lee's refusal to utilize guerilla fighting made a climate that eventually prompted to an enduring peace.
One of the most significant conflicts in the film Lincoln is deciding between peace and passing the thirteenth amendment. For this reason, getting the votes on the amendment to pass is difficult because others think if we let this amendment pass the war will not end. With the Civil War going on year four and the union struggling to keep together, Lincoln decides to try and pass the thirteenth amendment and receive support from the House of Representatives. The thirteenth amendment is the abolishment of slavery and involuntary servitude. Lincoln says that the key to peace is passing this amendment. The only person who truly believes in Lincoln’s vision is Thaddeus Stevens, who was a republican. Stevens did not see eye to eye with Lincoln
The reason for writing this book from McPherson’s point of view was because out of all the material out there about President Lincoln the vast majority of it is about other topics besides his role as Commander in Chief. McPherson believes that this is surely unthinkable due to the sheer amount of time and energy Lincoln had to put into being the commander of our army throughout the four long years the Civil War reigned. This book, in the eyes of James McPherson, is a long overdue explanation of Lincoln in his main role as Commander in Chief. He tells of numerous occasions when Lincoln must make important decisions that could make or break the union army. These