Abraham Lincoln View of slavery - Essay Example

Abraham Lincoln View of slaveryAbraham Lincoln was Americas 16th president who ruled in 1869 before he being assassinated in the year 1865. He is well known through the legacy he left in the United States Lincoln was at the forefront of guiding the American Nation through the Civil War that claimed the lives of many. He also led America through the constitutional and political calamity. Abraham Lincoln ensured that the union was preserved and as a result, he participated in abolishing slavery in the United States.

Besides, he also modernized the economy and strengthened the federal government. Abraham Lincoln leadership campaigned against the expansion of slavery to the south and western parts of the United States. Abraham believed that expansion of slavery would have an adverse implication on Americas land.Lincoln in his speech in Illinois termed slavery as unjust and morally wrong. He confessed both privately and in public that he hated slavery, even though he was quiet about it for a long time. Lincoln also believed that all people were against slavery, insisted and maintained a view against it.

Besides, he never regretted his words either did he take them back because slavery was not right. He also came out clear giving his view that he was not an abolitionist. His problem was the current constitution that never factored in the term slavery all the clauses that gave protection to the institution. He alluded that there was a need to abolish slavery and consider slaves as equal members of the United States (Lincoln 55-75). Abraham argued that both the black and white were equal. Therefore, they were entitled to equal opportunities and benefit to improve their lives making slavery was unfair.

Therefore, the debate on the issue of slavery was among one of the questions that triggered the civil war both in the Western and Northern states as they fought to protect the union. However, at the same time the South states struggled to gain its independence under its constitution. Conversely, the South agrarian protected their slaves to take care of their large plantations and help in other tasks that they required. During the civil war, more Africans worked in the south offering labor. They contributed significantly to the South economy because they worked and at the same time, they were sold to pay debts.

Hence, all this contributed to civil war the south felt abolition of slavery will significantly affect their economy.After Abraham Lincoln's death, there were plans to reconstruct the nation, and this changed the history of America. Andrew Johnson a southerner took over, but he had no college education, however in his leadership he never borrowed Lincoln’s ideas. First, he was not I a position to control the radical Republicans whom Lincoln could have comfortably controlled. Lincoln had a different perception with the radical Republicans he looked at reconstruction as a healing time while they viewed it as a time to punish the southern (Burlingame 508).

Numerous laws were passed by the southerners that affected the blacks significantly they were restricted from owning or renting land, and they faced many challenges. Many laws were made that did not favour the blacks; they were killed and experienced hard and challenging moments. However, Johnson later on became ineffective president and was impeached for violating the Tenure of Office Act. In conclusion, the 16th president of America President Abraham Lincoln was passionate in breaking the slave trade his primary drive was to ensure equal rights were observed for both the white and the black.

His vision and dream led to his assassination but besides he left a mark and a positive influence in the American historyWork CitedBurlingame, Michael. "Abraham Lincoln and White America." Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society 106.3/4 (2013): 508.Lincoln, Abraham. Great speeches. Courier Corporation, 2012:55-75